Department for Transport

Railways: North of England

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is still his Department's policy to proceed with the Northern Powerhouse Rail project.

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is still his Department's policy that Northern Powerhouse Rail will include a new station in Bradford city centre.

Huw Merriman: In November 2021, Government published the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands which committed £17.2bn to a core NPR network between Liverpool and York and Bradford and Leeds. We will assess the case for a new station at Bradford and will engage closely with local leaders and MPs on the next steps for the project.

High Speed 2 Line

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the (a) budget and (b) projected costs of phase 1 of HS2.

Huw Merriman: The overall costs position of the HS2 programme is available in the six-monthly HS2 report to Parliament published on Thursday 27 October 2022.

Motor Vehicles: Carbon Emissions

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage a modal shift from single occupancy cars to zero-emission L-Category vehicles such as mopeds and motorcycles.

Jesse Norman: As the Government set out in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, we increasingly expect people to travel in zero-emission vehicles. The transition to electric vehicles, including L-Category ones like mopeds and motorcycles, can reduce carbon emissions, fuel demand, congestion, and air and noise pollution. The Department is preparing the Government’s consultation response on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-Category vehicles, and will publish it in due course. In the meantime, the Department for Transport is providing £350,000 to help grow the supply chain for zero-emission L-Category vehicles.

Motor Vehicles: Carbon Emissions

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she made of the potential impact of the proposed phase out of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles on (a) large L-category vehicle manufacturers and (b) the L-category vehicle manufacturing industry more broadly.

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that L-category vehicle manufacturers are adequately prepared in preparation for the proposed phase out of the sale of new non-zero emission vehicles.

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the (a) commercial viability for manufacturers and (b) affordability for consumers of current electric L3 category motorbikes, in the context of proposals to end the sale of new non-zero emission models.

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department will conduct a whole lifecycle emissions analysis as part of the consultation on ending the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles.

Jesse Norman: The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles was open to written responses from 14 July to 21 September 2022 and supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement with manufactures. We are now analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course. We are working closely with industry to ensure a prosperous future for L-category manufacturers in the UK. In February 2022, the Motorcycle Industry Association and Zemo Partnership published a government commissioned action plan “Realising the Full Potential of Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles” to support the transition to zero emission L-category vehicles. The Government recently made £350,000 of funding available to grow the zero emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK that could lead to thousands of new jobs across the UK. Analysis of lifecycle emissions is an important consideration as we seek to accelerate the transition to a zero emission fleet of road vehicles. Whilst there is no internationally recognised method of measuring lifecycle emissions in any transport sector, the Department’s Transport Energy Model, published in 2018, provides a clear assessment of the relative environmental impacts of different road vehicle technologies and fuels in the UK.

Motor Vehicles: Carbon Emissions

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of potential merits of taking steps to reduce vehicle miles driven in the UK in helping to meet the Climate Change Committee carbon budgets without increasing targets under the ZEV mandate.

Jesse Norman: In the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, we recognised that a rapid transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) will be critical for delivering emission reductions, and we have announced we will introduce a ZEV mandate to further accelerate that transition. We also recognised the need to enable the use of sustainable travel choices, like public transport, and to make walking and cycling people’s natural first choice. To support this we have, since 2020, made record amounts of funding available for investment in buses, walking and cycling.

Bypasses: Llanymynech and Pant

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of building a bypass road around Llanymynech and Pant.

Mr Richard Holden: The Department and National Highways continue to work closely with the Welsh Government to continue to develop options for the A483 Pant-Llanymynech Bypass scheme as part of the pipeline of schemes being considered for possible delivery within the third Road Investment Strategy or future road periods beyond 2025.

Roads: Llynclys

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of (a) the safety of Llynclys Crossroads and (b) the potential merits of redesigning that junction.

Mr Richard Holden: In developing the A483 Pant-Llanymynech Bypass RIS3 Pipeline scheme, National Highways will consider options for improvements at this junction as part of its scope alongside wider route optimisation work being conducted. Safety for road users is the top priority for both the Department and National Highways when developing these options.

Driving Licences: British Nationals Abroad

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the validity of foreign driving licences beyond 12 months in the context of delays in obtaining practical driving test appointments.

Mr Richard Holden: Holders of a valid driving licence issued by a country outside of the EU/EEA can drive small vehicles (cars up to 3,500kg and motorcycles), provided entitlement is shown on their licence, for 12 months from the date they become resident in GB. After this time, unless they have a licence from a country designated for driving licence exchange purposes, they are required to take a GB driving test. The 12-month period is a concession that allows drivers who live and regularly drive in GB to continue to do so before having to demonstrate that they comply with the standards that apply to GB licence holders. There are no plans to change this requirement. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is working hard to provide as many practical driving test appointments as it can, with several measures in place to do this. The DVSA is recruiting more driving examiners to help increase driving test availability.

Driving Licences: Italy

Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when (a) HM Ambassador and (b) other officials last met Italian Ministry of Transport officials to discuss an agreement on driving licence exchanges for UK citizens with Italian residency status; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Richard Holden: The UK and Italian Governments continue to negotiate long-term arrangements for exchanging driving licences without the need to take a test. The most recent formal meeting between officials in DfT, FCDO, including His Majesty’s Ambassador to Italy, and their Italian counterparts took place in the last fortnight. Outside of formal meetings, officials remain in regular contact with their Italian counterparts and have made good progress toward an agreement that would allow UK licence holders resident in Italy to exchange their driving licence without the need to take a driving test.

P&O Ferries: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2022 to Question 26742 on P&O Ferries: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, whether her Department has had recent discussions with representatives of P&O Ferries on the repayment of its furlough funding.

Jesse Norman: The Department has not had recent discussions with P&O Ferries’ representatives on the repayment of furlough funding. As per the response of 4 July 2022, the government has repeatedly called for P&O Ferries to repay its furlough funding, and we have emphasised this at every opportunity.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy Bills Rebate: Huntington's Disease

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take into account the additional energy costs faced by people with Huntington’s Disease in his review of the energy support scheme in April 2023.

Graham Stuart: The Government is supporting the most vulnerable UK households with £1,200 of support provided in instalments over this year. The Treasury-led review of the energy support schemes will consider how to support households with energy bills after April 2023. The objective of the review is to design a new approach that ensures enough support for those in need, that will also cost the taxpayer significantly less than planned.

Energy Price Guarantee

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what role his Department will have in the Treasury-led review into the Energy Price Guarantee in April 2023.

Graham Stuart: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will work closely with the Treasury in conducting a review of the Energy Price Guarantee to support households with their energy bills after 31 March 2023. This new approach will consider more targeted measures to support households with their energy bills and cost the taxpayer significantly less than initially planned.

Hydrogen: Job Creation

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the policy paper entitled The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, published on 18 November 2020, how many jobs have been created through the growth of low carbon hydrogen since the publication of the plan.

Graham Stuart: As the UK hydrogen economy is in the very early stages of development, it is not yet possible to put a precise figure on the number of jobs created through the growth of low carbon hydrogen since the publication of the Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. However, the UK's hydrogen ambition – 10GW of production capacity by 2030, with at least half from electrolytic hydrogen – offers significant economic opportunities. The Government analysis suggests the sector could be worth over £900m, support 12,000 jobs and unlock over £9bn in private investment by 2030.

Renewable Energy

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what proportion of the UK’s energy supply the Government expects to be provided by renewable resources in 2030.

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate the Government has made of what proportion of the UK’s energy supply will come from renewable resources by 2030.

Graham Stuart: The Government estimates that 70-80% of the UK's electricity supply will come from renewable sources by 2030.

Biofuels: Government Assistance

Alberto Costa: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support is being provided to households and non-domestic users who rely on biomass energy.

Graham Stuart: The Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) will provide a one-off payment of £100 to households that use alternative fuels for heating, such as biomass energy, instead of mains gas. The Government has said that it will provide equivalent support to non-domestic properties using alternative fuels. Further information will be provided shortly. This is in addition to the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS), which delivers a £400 non-repayable discount to households with an electricity meter. For those not on standard gas or electricity contracts the EBSS Alternative Fund will provide equivalent support. Further details will be announced in due course.

Events Industry

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has had recent discussions with representatives of the events industry on the potential merits of establishing a strategic approach to winning more international events.

Graham Stuart: Events showcase the UK's industrial strengths to the world while also attracting international visitors to all corners of the UK. The Government is working closely with the Department for International Trade and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to improve the UK’s already strong offer so that we can attract more high profile events and champion UK sectors on the global stage.

Wind Power: Cooperatives

Alberto Costa: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of exempting co-operative owned wind farms from the Electricity Prices Bill revenue cap.

Graham Stuart: The Government recognises the role community and locally owned renewable energy schemes can, and do, play in supporting the UK’s national net zero targets.  These projects help encourage innovation and investment as well as community engagement with the energy challenge. The Government will shortly be consulting on the Cost-Plus Revenue Limit, including whether there should be a minimum threshold for size of generation stations and whether it is appropriate for this mechanism to apply to community or local energy schemes.

Energy Price Guarantee

Robin Millar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason the support provided under the Energy Price Guarantee scheme for households that are off-grid will be limited to £100.

Graham Stuart: The Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) will ensure that all households who do not benefit through the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) receive support for the cost of the fuel they do use. The payment has been calculated by reference to past increases in the cost of heating oil between September 2021 and September 2022. It aims to ensure that a typical customer using heating oil will not face a higher rate of growth from October 2022 than those supported by the EPG. The AFP will limit the increase in heating costs to 130% for a typical household, in line with the benefit offered by the EPG: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-03/0159/AnnexB.pdf.

Hospitals: Power Failures

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many and what proportion of hospitals have Protected Site status under the Electricity Emergency Supply Code; and whether (a) hospices, (b) care homes and (c) other critical sites are included on the Protected Site List.

Graham Stuart: The Protected Sites List (PSL) ensures that during an electricity supply emergency, critical sites remain supplied with electricity. No assessment has been made by the Department regarding the proportion of hospitals, hospices or care homes in Great Britain that have protected site status. These are the responsibility of the Department of Health & Social Care.

Housing: Fuel Oil

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate has he made of the average (a) monthly and (b) annual costs of heating oil for UK homes using that fuel.

Graham Stuart: The Department publishes monthly and annual data on domestic heating oil prices as part of the Quarterly Energy Prices statistical collection here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/monthly-domestic-energy-price-stastics.

Carbon Emissions and Fracking

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to Dr Laurence Stamford’s recommendations from The University of Manchester’s Energy Futures publication, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of UKOOG’s estimates that shale would only provide about 5 per cent of demand by 2027; and if he will instead tackle decarbonisation to impact consumer bills through energy conservation and reduction demand.

Graham Stuart: In line with the commitment made in the 2019 Conservative Manifesto, the Government will revert to a precautionary approach regarding hydraulic fracturing operations. The Government will again take a presumption against issuing any further hydraulic fracturing consents, a position which is an effective moratorium. The Government remains committed to net zero by 2050. The UK is a climate leader and is driving down demand for fossil fuels on the path to net zero.

Offshore Industry: Licensing

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many licences have been granted for oil and gas projects in the UK since 2020.

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many licences for new North Sea oil and gas exploration projects have been granted each year since 2018.

Graham Stuart: Licensing is a matter for the North Sea Transition Authority who publish all figures and statistics regarding licence awards for oil and gas exploration and development. The North Sea Transition Authority has awarded a total of 278 licences for oil and gas exploration and development since 2018. This comprises 123 awarded in 2018, 42 awarded in 2019, and 113 awarded in 2020. No awards were made in 2021 or 2022.

Business: Fuels

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support his Department has provided on the cost of energy for businesses reliant on LPG or unregulated fuels.

Graham Stuart: The Government announced on 21st September that it will provide support to non-domestic properties using alternative fuels. Further information will be provided shortly.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Simon Lightwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to provide financial support to people who were previously eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme and are no longer eligible following changes in eligibility criteria.

Graham Stuart: The Government has expanded and reformed the Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales to target fuel poverty better, provide the majority of the rebates automatically, and standardise the eligibility across all participating energy suppliers. Over 3 million households will receive a rebate this winter. Energy suppliers can provide additional support to households through the Industry Initiatives portion of the scheme, through measures such as financial assistance, debt write-off, benefit entitlement checks, energy advice, and energy efficiency.

Electric Vehicles

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate his Department has made of the additional electricity generation that will be required following the ban on petrol and diesel cars in 2035; and if he will make a statement.

Graham Stuart: Figure 3.2 of the Energy White Paper[1]shows indicative demands from electric vehicles for 2035 and 2050 that align with the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles in 2035. Annex O of the Energy and Emission Projections[2]provides indicative scenarios to show how the power sector might evolve to meet this additional demand. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-white-paper-powering-our-net-zero-future[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-and-emissions-projections-net-zero-strategy-baseline-partial-interim-update-december-2021

Renewable Energy: Smart Export Guarantee

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the Smart Export Guarantee in incentivising small-scale renewable energy generation, in comparison with the Feed-In-Tariff scheme.

Graham Stuart: The recently published Ofgem Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) annual report highlighted a significant increase in the number of installations registering for a SEG tariff (34,020 installations compared to 4,593 from Year 1). The market continues to offer a range of SEG tariffs offering different rates for exported electricity, with some rates comparable to those which were provided in the latter stages of the Feed In Tariff (FIT) scheme.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the tariff levels for the Feed-in-Tariff scheme for exporters and generators.

Graham Stuart: The Feed In Tariff (FIT) scheme aimed to deliver returns of approximately 5-8% for investors in small scale low-carbon generation. The methodology used to set the tariffs considered the technology costs and electricity generation expectations. The tariff rates are adjusted annually, in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to maintain that rate of return during the period of support under the scheme.

Energy Price Guarantee: Data Protection

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofgem on the data requirements set out in the privacy notice for the Energy Price Guarantee scheme; and whether his Department made an assessment of the potential impact of those data requirements on consumer trust in smart meters.

Graham Stuart: The Government works closely with Ofgem to ensure a high standard of consumer protection is maintained across the retail energy sector, including for smart metering and the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG). The scope of data required to support the EPG is still being determined. The Government will continue to work with energy suppliers to ensure that consumers’ privacy is safeguarded, while enabling proportionate access to data to enable evaluation and fraud prevention, as is in the public interest. No personal data has yet been collected in relation to the scheme. The Department works closely with Ofgem to monitor consumer experience of smart meters and to ensure compliance with the Data Access and Privacy Framework.

Wind Power: Taxation

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Energy Prices Bill, whether he will exempt (a) co-operatively and (b) consumer owned wind farms from the proposed revenue cap.

Graham Stuart: The Government will shortly be consulting on the Cost-Plus Revenue Limit so interested and affected parties can have their say on the scope, design and application of the proposal.

Re-employment

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he and his Department will publish the consultation on a new statutory code to end fire and rehire tactics; and whether his Department has started discussions with external stakeholders on the new code.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government has been clear that using dismissal and re-engagement as a negotiating tactic is unacceptable. We expect companies to treat their employees fairly.In 2021, following a government request, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service published new guidance to ensure that employers and employees are clear on their responsibilities.Since then, officials have met a number of interested stakeholders to discuss the issue. We will set out next steps in this policy area in due course.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Simon Lightwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the number of people who were previously eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme that are no longer eligible following changes in eligibility criteria in the 2022-23 financial year.

Graham Stuart: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Electric Vehicles

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate he has made of the level of investment into the national grid that will be required to ensure there will be sufficient infrastructure in place to cater for the charging of electric vehicles after 2035; and if he will make a statement.

Graham Stuart: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Electric Vehicles: Rural Areas

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure that rural properties are supplied with sufficient electricity to charge vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Graham Stuart: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Housing: Insulation

Selaine Saxby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support households (a) with a low income, (b) in listed buildings, (c) in long term rentals and (d) in short term holiday lets in rural communities to improve the insulation of their homes.

Graham Stuart: The Government has allocated £3.2 billion in this Parliament to improve home energy efficiency. The Government's approach to supporting fuel poor households was set out in the fuel poverty strategy, Sustainable Warmth, in February 2021. The cost-of-living crisis gives even greater urgency for action to make homes more energy efficient and reduce energy bills. Through the Governments ‘Help to Heat’ capital schemes, domestic consumers could potentially save between £300and £700 per annum, based on the current price cap. Work is ongoing to meet the commitment in the British Energy Security Strategy to review the planning barriers households face when installing energy efficiency measures in conservation areas and listed buildings.

Marine Environment: International Cooperation

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Rosebank oil field with respect to the Government's objective to protect 30 per cent of the UK's oceans by 2030.

Graham Stuart: The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment & Decommissioning (OPRED) is in the process of considering the environmental statement submitted by Equinor in support of the proposed Rosebank development. As part this process, OPRED completes an Environmental Impact Assessment ; consulting with Statutory Nature Consultation Bodies, including the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Marine Management Organisation, which are key delivery partners of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and will take into account the impact a project may have on the environment within marine protected areas, designated by UK Government and Devolved Administrations under relevant legislation.

Oil: Shetland

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of Equinor developing the Rosebank oil field with the (a) decarbonisation targets for industry as described in the North Sea Transition Deal, (b) UK’s carbon budgets and net zero target and (c) UK’s obligations and commitments towards international climate targets.

Graham Stuart: New North Sea oil and gas fields are part of the managed decline of the basin’s production, reducing our dependence on imports from abroad and supporting UK employment in sectors vital to the transition to net zero. Development proposals for oil fields are dealt with by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) and the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED). The NSTA’s monitoring and assessment of future emissions from UK Continental Shelf production includes all new projects. Its 2022 report can be found here: https://www.nstauthority.co.uk/news-publications/publications/2022/emissions-monitoring-report-2022/. The NSTA's emissions reduction targets take into account an absolute reduction in production on the pathway to net zero by 2050. The Government's Net Zero Strategy sets out how those targets are consistent with the UK meeting its Nationally Determined Contribution and Carbon Budgets.

Business: Energy

Mr Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what fiscal steps his Department is taking to support businesses with their energy bills.

Graham Stuart: The Energy Bill Relief Scheme was announced on 21 September 2022 to provide a discount on energy bills for all eligible non-domestic customers, including businesses, whose current gas and electricity prices have been significantly inflated in light of global energy prices. The scheme will initially run for 6 months covering energy use from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 and will help support growth, prevent unnecessary insolvencies and protect jobs.

Small Businesses: Energy

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many small businesses in Sefton Central constituency have received support from the Government on the cost of energy.

Graham Stuart: All small businesses in Sefton Central, as with every other part of Great Britain, can receive support on their energy bills through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, if they meet the eligibility criteria. The scheme will initially run for six months and will cover energy consumption from the 1 October. Suppliers will automatically apply reductions to the bills of all eligible non-domestic customers, with bills covering October usage generally issued in November.

Small Businesses: Energy

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to support small businesses with rising energy costs.

Graham Stuart: The Energy Bill Relief Scheme was announced on 21 September 2022 to provide a discount on energy bills for all eligible non-domestic customers, including small businesses, whose current gas and electricity prices have been significantly inflated in light of global energy prices. The scheme will initially run for 6 months covering energy use from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Gratuities

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the timeline is for the implementation of the Government’s reforms to tipping practices, announced in September 2021.

Kevin Hollinrake: Tips earned by workers should go to the workers they were intended for. The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Private members bill sponsored by the Hon. Member for Yns Môn, and supported by the Government, will require employers to pass all tips to workers.This Bill has just passed Committee stage in the House of Commons and is expected to move to the House of Lords in January. We expect new rules to commence no earlier than one year after legislation is given Royal Assent, giving employers sufficient lead-in time to adjust their business practices.

Energy Bills Rebate: Flats

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether people living in residential flats that use (a) heat networks and (b) private wire electricity networks will receive the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme discount.

Graham Stuart: The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding will provide support of £400 for energy bills for the small minority of households who will not be reached through the EBSS. This includes those who do not have a domestic electricity meter or a direct relationship with an energy supplier, including heat network consumers on a private wire system. Heat network consumers who have a domestic electricity meter will receive a £400 reduction in their energy bills through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. The Government is working urgently with a range of organisations, such as local authorities, as well as Devolved Administrations and across UK Government, to finalise the details for these households and have the process up and running for applications this winter.

Energy Price Guarantee: Publicity

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to provide all households with information on the Energy Price Guarantee.

Graham Stuart: The Government has announced unprecedented support within its Growth Plan to protect households and businesses from high energy prices. The Energy Price Guarantee will save a typical British household around £700 this winter. This is on top of existing Government plans to give all households a £400 reduction in their energy bills through the Energy Bill Support Scheme. The Chancellor has made clear they will continue to do so from now until end of March next year. A review will be launched to consider more targeted measures to support households with their energy bills after this period.

Drax Power Station: Timber

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding from the public purse has been authorised and over what time period to subsidise burning wood products at Drax; what the range of future public liabilities is for Drax's operations; and if he will make a statement.

Graham Stuart: I refer my Hon. Friend to the answer given by my Rt. Hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth to the Hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside on 21st January 2022 to Question 103693.

Research: Investment

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Comparison of ONS business enterprise research and development statistics with HMRC research and development tax credit statistics, published in September 2022, demonstrating a revised method of calculating private R&D investment, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the loss of ERDF funding on leveraging private sector investment in every region of the UK.

George Freeman: The Government welcomes the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS) ongoing efforts to improve the accuracy of its research and development (R&D) investment data. The ONS will publish new total R&D investment numbers up to 2020, plus private R&D investment up to 2021, on 17 November 2022. The Government has established the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) as a successor to EU structural funds (European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund). Decisions on how it will be used will be taken locally. Funding for UKSPF will ramp up to £1.5 billion per year by March 2025. This upholds the Government’s commitment to match EU structural fund receipts.

Research: Finance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the revised method of calculating private research and development expenditure, whether his Department will publish a new regional breakdown of (a) public, (b) private and (c) total research and development funding by region to reflect those changes.

George Freeman: The Government welcomes the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS)’ ongoing efforts to improve the accuracy of its research and development (R&D) funding data. The ONS will publish new total R&D funding numbers up to 2020, plus private R&D funding up to 2021, on 17th November 2022. The ONS are developing regional R&D statistics to support Government’s Levelling Up agenda. Producing these figures can be challenging, so they are exploring techniques to map where R&D is taking place, rather than where funding has been allocated. The ONS will publish regional public and private R&D funding statistics in early 2023.

Regional Planning and Development: Research

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the revised method of calculating private research and development expenditure and the Levelling up White Paper, whether his Department plans to redraft the research and development levelling up targets in the White Paper to reflect changes in national and regional private sector spend.

George Freeman: The Government welcomes the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS)’ ongoing efforts to improve the accuracy of its research and development (R&D) spending data. The ONS will publish new total R&D spending numbers up to 2020, plus private R&D investment up to 2021, on 17th November 2022. The Government remains committed to levelling up and to taking forward the missions announced in the Levelling Up White Paper.

Fireworks: Animals and Mental Illness

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help protect (a) animals, (b) people with post-traumatic stress disorder and (c) people who have other mental health conditions from the environmental effects of fireworks.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government endorses the considerate use of fireworks. The majority of individuals who use fireworks do so in a responsible and safe manner and there are enforcement mechanisms in place to tackle situations when fireworks are misused. We will continue to engage with all our stakeholders, including animal welfare organisations, charities, local authorities and the industry, to listen to and understand their views.

Employment: Surveillance

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has undertaken recent research into the use of technology by employers to closely monitor their employees.

George Freeman: The Department has not undertaken recent research into the use of technology by employers to closely monitor their employees.

Environment and Public Health: EU Law

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will hold discussions with (a) environmental and (b) public health organisations in the context of the Government's September 2022 announcement that announced that all retained EU laws will be sunset on 31 December 2023.

Kevin Hollinrake: My Rt. Hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy met with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and other environmental groups on 19 October, and assured them of the Government’s ongoing commitment to deliver our legally binding target to halt nature’s decline by 2030. The UK will remain a world leader in environmental protection. The Government will continue to engage stakeholders throughout the passage of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, and as we take steps to create laws and regulations in the interests of the UK.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of mucosal covid-19 vaccines.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: UKRI has already funded significant research activity in this space, through a broad portfolio of work in underpinning immunology, virology and vaccinology and a rich portfolio of vaccine development programmes. Specific exemplar programmes supported through a variety of mechanisms have been identified as with immediate relevance to the development of next generation SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics and vaccines including mucosal vaccines.

Life Sciences: Investment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to promote investment in the UK life sciences sector.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Life Sciences Vision, published in July 2021, sets out our ten-year strategy on how we would make the UK a Life Sciences superpower. The Vision made a number of commitments to develop a globally competitive Life Sciences investment ecosystem. These included the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund, which will provide £60million in capital grants for investment in the manufacturing of human medicines, medical diagnostics and MedTech products in the UK; a new “Long-Term Investment For Technology and Science (LIFTS)” competition, providing up to £500million to support new funds to catalyse investment into the UK’s pioneering science and technology businesses; and eight Healthcare Missions, which will draw in significant private investment. Since the Vision was published, the UK has also attracted over £1billion in private sector investment.

Artificial Intelligence: Safety

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his plans are to improve the safety of artificial intelligence to allow its use in industry.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Government wants to maximise the economic and societal benefits presented by AI technologies. To support this, we are taking action to make sure that we have the right rules around AI to support innovation whilst ensuring this technology is used safely.That is why we are committed to establishing a proportionate approach to governing AI which drives innovation and boosts public trust. We set out early proposals in July in the AI Regulation Policy Paper.[1] Our approach will be context specific, pro-innovation and risk based, providing coherence across the regulatory landscape.The Paper set out the Government's early proposals for six cross-sectoral principles which will underpin our emerging approach to AI regulation - the first of these principles is to ensure that AI is used safely.We will ensure that the full range of tools to support effective governance are deployed across industry, encouraging innovation and investment, while also protecting the public and safeguarding our fundamental values.[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/establishing-a-pro-innovation-approach-to-regulating-ai

Business: Government Assistance

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the businesses identified by Begbies Traynor Group PLC as being in significant financial distress.

Kevin Hollinrake: Business support is demand-led and business owners are encouraged to seek advice and support based on their individual circumstances. The government has no plans to seek access to the list of businesses identified by Begbies Traynor as being in financial distress. The Business Support Helpline on 0800 998 1098 enables SMEs in England to access support of all kinds, including grants, loans and business advice. Equivalent services are available in the devolved administrations as follows: Business Support Scotland - 0300 303 0660;Business Wales Helpline - 0300 060 3000;Invest Northern Ireland - 0800 181 4422.

Business

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to Begbies Traynor Group PLC's Business Health Statistics, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings that the number of businesses in critical financial distress has risen 25 per cent year on year between the third quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2022.

Kevin Hollinrake: The Government monitors a wide range of data sources in order to inform its policies, including national statistics and industry surveys. These confirm the pressures faced by SMEs from increased input costs since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, notably food ingredients, fertilizer and energy, as well as the ending of measures introduced during the pandemic to protect businesses from their creditors. The SME Finance Monitor notes that the proportion of SMEs using external finance is down year-on-year, at 38% in Q2 2022 (the most recent period available) compared to 45% for the equivalent period in 2021. Of those using finance in Q2 2022, 16% were concerned about repayment, down from 19% in Q2 2021. Measures introduced by government between the third quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2022 include the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, to protect small businesses from high energy costs over the winter, and the third iteration of the Recovery Loan Scheme.

Northern Ireland Office

Addictions: Northern Ireland

Colum Eastwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people (a) accessed addiction treatment services and (b) needed residential addiction treatment services in each constituency in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what funds were provided for (i) non-residential and (ii) residential addiction treatment services in each constituency in each year.

Mr Steve Baker: The UK Government does not hold or have access to the requested figures, as this policy area is devolved. The operation of and funding for addiction services treatment is a matter for Northern Ireland Executive and the relevant bodies in Northern Ireland.

Addictions: Northern Ireland

Colum Eastwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the New Decade New Approach Deal published in January 2020, what steps the Government has taken to provide additional funding to support the Derry/Londonderry addiction centre.

Mr Steve Baker: The UK Government stands ready to provide the £1 million additional funding to support the Derry/Londonderry addiction centre as is set out in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, and we are currently awaiting the Northern Ireland Executive’s proposals for delivering the centre. It is for the relevant Northern Ireland Executive department to develop these proposals so that this funding can be invested in local communities in Northern Ireland quickly. Continuing funding for the Derry/Londonderry addiction centre is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive and the relevant bodies in Northern Ireland. This reinforces the need for an Executive to get back up and running as soon as possible.

Drugs: Northern Ireland

Colum Eastwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the independent review of drugs by Dame Carol Black, what assessment he has made of the effect of Government funding to implement the recommendations in that review on the Barnett consequential for Northern Ireland.

Mr Steve Baker: The treatment and prevention of drug problems and harms in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. Any Barnett consequentials that arise through additional spending by the UK Government to implement the Review recommendations will be allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive in line with the Statement of Funding Policy. This reinforces the need for an Executive to get back up and running as soon as possible.

Addictions: Northern Ireland

Colum Eastwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what funds the Government made available for addiction services in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Mr Steve Baker: Health is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, but nevertheless, the UK Government has committed £1 million in additional funding to support the Derry/Londonderry addiction centre as set out in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, and we are currently awaiting the Northern Ireland Executive’s proposals for delivering this centre. As the funding of addiction services in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive and the relevant bodies in Northern Ireland, the UK Government does not hold or have access to the requested figures.

Attorney General

Attorney General: Official Hospitality and Travel

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the ministerial transparency data for January to March 2022, published by her Department on 14 July 2022, for what reason the published declaration (a) for meetings is a duplicate of the published information for overseas travel and (b) of hospitality is a duplicate of the published declaration for gifts; and if she will update the publication with accurate declarations of (i) meetings and (ii) hospitality for that period.

Michael Tomlinson: The Ministerial transparency data published by the Attorney General's Office for January to March 2022 contained two errors, namely a duplication of the declarations both for overseas travel and for gifts. I apologise for these errors. The transparency data has now been rectified, and the full publication of the meetings, overseas travel, hospitality and gifts can be viewed by the public on the official website of the Attorney General's Office.

Terrorism: Prosecutions

Matt Vickers: To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service in prosecuting terrorism offences.

Michael Tomlinson: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) works closely with the police to help deliver the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy to ensure we have the best possible response to the threat from all forms of terrorism. Within the CPS, the Counter-Terrorism Division is responsible for prosecuting terrorism cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. The Division is made up of highly specialised prosecutors, including thematic experts, and has a strong record of bringing successful prosecutions in terrorism cases. Prosecutors engage with the police at a very early stage of investigations to provide advice and to help build strong cases, and to assist in identifying criminal justice opportunities to disrupt terrorist-related activity, using terrorism and non-terrorism legislation as appropriate. Recent terrorism statistics published by the Home Office confirm that in the year ending 30 June 2022, 88% of people tried for terrorism-related offences were convicted.

Crown Prosecution Service: Standards

Matt Vickers: To ask the Attorney General, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service in (a) East of England, (b) London, (c) Cheshire, (d) North East, (e) North West, (f) Thames, (g) East Midlands, (h) West Midlands, (i) Yorkshire and Humber, (j) South West, (k) South East and (l) Wales.

Michael Tomlinson: I meet regularly with the Chief Inspector of HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) to discuss his independent assessments of CPS performance. HMCPSI is currently conducting independent inspections of all 14 CPS Areas in 2021-22 as part of its Area Inspection Programme, which focuses on the quality of magistrates’ court casework, Crown Court casework and rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) casework. Baseline reports covering the South East, North East, West Midlands, North West, London South, East of England, Yorkshire and Humber, Wessex, London North, South West, Mersey-Cheshire, East Midlands and North West have all been published on the HMCPSI website. The final report on CPS Thames and Chiltern is due to be published soon. All CPS Areas will be subject to follow-up inspections by HMCPSI in due course to evaluate progress made since the baseline report. The CPS makes a public response to all HMCPSI Area inspections, and these are available on the CPS website. Performance data relating to CPS Areas is also available on the CJS Delivery Data Dashboard, which can be found here: Criminal Justice System Delivery Data Dashboard - GOV.UK

Department of Health and Social Care

General Practitioners: Luton South

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of GP appointments in Luton South constituency that were conducted face-to-face in (a) the last 12 months and (b) 2013.

Neil O'Brien: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

NHS: Sick Leave

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS staff absences due to covid-19 count toward an employee's annual allowance of sick leave.

Will Quince: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

General Practitioners: Lewisham

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 26 October 2022 to Question 60064 on General Practitioners: Greater London, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the quality of care in (a) Lewisham East constituency and (b) the London Borough of Lewisham following the closure of GP practices since 2017.

Neil O'Brien: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Agency Social Workers

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the (a) use and (b) costs of (i) locum and (ii) agency social workers by local authorities.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

General Practitioners: Lancaster and Fleetwood

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 26 October 2022 to Question 65848 on General Practitioners: Lancaster and Fleetwood, in what format the information of the number of FTE fully qualified GPs, excluding GPs in training grade, is collected.

Neil O'Brien: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Health: Disadvantaged

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2022 to Question 59514 on Health: Equality, for what reasons his Department has not provided a date for the publication of the health disparities white paper.

Neil O'Brien: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Rehabilitation: Medical Equipment

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many anti-gravity treadmills have been purchased by the NHS in England in each of the last five years; and what cost benefit analysis has been carried out of their use.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Myocarditis

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the oral contribution by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of 24 October 2022, Official Report, column 21WH, on what evidential basis she said that (a) there were an estimated 1,500 cases of myocarditis per million patients with covid-19 and (b) the myocarditis suffered by those patients was caused by covid-19; and if she will place this evidence in the Library of the House.

Neil O'Brien: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme: Coronavirus

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many applications have been made to the vaccine damage payments scheme in respect of covid-19 vaccines as of 27 October 2022; and how many and what proportion of those applications have been (a) successful, (b) rejected and (c) unresolved for more than six months.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Dental Services: Bradford

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many children under the age of (a) four and (b) eleven were admitted to hospital for a tooth extraction in Bradford constituency in each of the last five years.

Neil O'Brien: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Social Services: Finance

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when her Department last discussed the local government finance settlement in respect to adult social care service provision demands across local council areas with the Secretary of State for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Social Services

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made on the potential merit of local authorities providing adult social care services based on an in-house, insourced service model.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Social Services: Private Sector

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of private sector provision of adult social care services on the (a) quality of care outcomes and (b) ability to recruit and retain staff in England and Wales.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cancer: Radiotherapy

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans she has to improve access to radiotherapy for patients waiting for cancer treatment.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cancer: Waiting Lists

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department plans to take to reduce waiting times for cancer treatment.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question

James Grundy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to reduce health inequalities.

Maria Caulfield: No decisions have been taken in relation to the Health Disparities White Paper.The Department continues to review how health disparities can be addressed and further information will be available in due course.

Mental Health Services: Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of mental health specialists in Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough constituency.

Maria Caulfield: The NHS Long Term Plan stated the aim of increasing the mental health workforce in England by an additional 27,000 professionals by 2023/24. NHS England and Health Education England are working with local integrated care systems, including South Yorkshire Integrated Care System, to confirm plans for service models, supply, retention and recruitment until 2024.NHS England continues to support local systems, including South Yorkshire Integrated Care System, to develop tailored health and wellbeing offers to meet the needs of the local mental health workforce. This includes mental health hubs in each integrated care system and occupational health services which are being supported through the Growing Occupational Health and Wellbeing national programme.

Health Professions: Pay

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of pay for professionals working in health care.

Will Quince: The independent pay review body process is the established mechanism for determining pay uplifts in the public sector, including staff working in the NHS. For the year 2022/23, we asked the independent pay review bodies for recommendations for NHS staff not already in multi-year deals.The pay review bodies considered a range of evidence when formulating their recommendations including cost of living, inflation, recruitment, retention, morale, and value for the taxpayer. They receive evidence from a wide range of stakeholders including government, NHS system partners and trade unions.In July, we accepted their formal recommendations in full and have backdated all pay awards to April.

Patients: Travel

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to support people with the cost of travelling to hospital appointments during the period of increases to the cost of living.

Will Quince: There are arrangements in place to assist people on a low income with travel costs to hospital under the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.

Prescription Drugs: Prices

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the CMA's press release entitled CMA fines pharma firm over pricing of crucial thyroid drug, published on 29 July 2022, what steps he is taking to prevent extreme price gouging; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including generic drugs in the NHS Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access.

Will Quince: The costs of branded medicines are controlled by the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS) and the statutory scheme for branded medicines. For unbranded generic medicines, the Department encourages competition between suppliers to maintain lower prices. In primary care, community pharmacies are incentivised to source products at the lowest possible cost and in secondary care, competitive tenders ensure value-for-money to the National Health Service. Where competition does not achieve these aims, the Department alerts the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Where companies are found by the CMA to be in breach of competition law, the Department considers seeking damages.

Health Services: Migrants

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much income the NHS received from Immigration Health Surcharge payments in each of the last two financial years.

Will Quince: This information is not held centrally in the format requested as income from the Immigration Health Surcharge is divided between the devolved administrations.

Question

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the number of NHS dentists accepting new patients in Southampton.

Neil O'Brien: This year, in NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, there were 1,255 active dentists, compared with 1,248 the previous year. However, there is clearly an issue, which the hon. Gentleman was right to raise in the House. I am happy to talk to him to ensure that we can solve this important problem.

Fungi: Infectious Diseases

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to his answer of 22 September 2022 to Question 45706 on Fungi: Infectious Diseases, and with reference to the World Health Organisation's fungal priority pathogens list to guide research, development and public health action of 25 October, if he will make his policy to increase funding for research in this area.

Will Quince: The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is supporting the ‘UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2019 to 2024’, which commits to undertake research on antifungal resistance. In the last five years, the NIHR has invested more than £6 million in research into fungal infection and anti-microbial resistance is a priority for future research. However, it is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. The Department works with other Government departments and funding agencies as well as the World Health Organization on the approach to antifungal resistance.

Question

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on delivering additional medical scans, tests and check-ups.

Will Quince: As part of our work to bust the Covid backlogs we have so far rolled out 89 Community Diagnostic Centres that have delivered over 2 million additional tests since June 2021, and will deliver capacity for up to 9 million additional tests a year from 2025.

Ambulance Services: Standards

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the ministerial statement of 22 September on Health and Social Care Update cols 830-832, which 15 hospital trusts accounted for 45% of all ambulance handover delays of 60 minutes or more in winter 2021-22.

Will Quince: I refer the Rt hon. Member to the answer given on 11 October to Question 54663.

Aortic Dissection

Mrs Pauline Latham: What steps he is taking to improve (a) health outcomes and (b) early diagnosis for people with aortic dissections.

Helen Whately: In March 2022, NHS England launched an Aortic Dissection Toolkit to support the implementation of robust clinical pathways to identify and manage both Type A and Type B aortic dissection.All English regions are working with the Cardiac Pathways Improvement Programme to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Podiatry: Liverpool Riverside

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made (a) podiatry vacancy rates in the NHS in Liverpool Riverside constituency and (b) the impact these vacancies will have on patient treatment for diabetic foot complications.

Will Quince: The Department does not hold information on podiatry vacancies at a constituency level and therefore no specific assessment of the rate or its impact on services has been made.

Cancer: Radiotherapy

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department's 10-Year Cancer Plan includes specific strategies to improve access to radiotherapy cancer treatments.

Helen Whately: Since 2016, over £160 million of capital investment has been made in radiotherapy equipment meaning that every part of the NHS in England has local access to innovative treatments like stereotactic ablative radiotherapy.Radiotherapy Networks are increasing access to specialist skills and knowledge, ensuring patients can access the very best treatment.

Mental Health Services: Reading East

Matt Rodda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve access to mental health services in Reading East constituency.

Matt Rodda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support young people with eating disorders in Reading East constituency.

Maria Caulfield: In September we announced ‘Our Plan for Patients’, which outlines how we will increase access to National Health Service mental health and eating disorder services, including in Reading East. Ensuring easier access to general practice will expand this route to access mental health services.Through the NHS Long Term Plan, we are investing an additional £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 to expand these services for adults, children and young people in England, including in Reading East. We will invest approximately £1 billion in community mental health care for adults with severe mental illness, including eating disorders, by 2023/24 and an additional £53 million per year in children and young people's community eating disorder services to increase capacity in the 70 community eating disorder teams.

Care Homes

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help increase the availability of residential places in social care settings.

Helen Whately: Under the Care Act local authorities are responsible for making sure the care needs of their residents are met but it is clear that they are struggling.That is why we have set up a £1.4 billion fund for local authorities to use to meet their duties under the care act – and to make sure they are paying the fair cost of care to care homes and agencies.

NHS: Vacancies

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of the 132,000 full-time equivalent staff vacancies on staff morale and burnout in the NHS.

Will Quince: We aim to deliver an additional 50,000 nurses by the end of March 2024, with over 29,000 more nurses currently working in the National Health Service compared with September 2019. We have also funded an additional 1,500 undergraduate medical school places each year for domestic students in England and delivered five new medical schools. The Department has commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan. The plan will consider the number of staff and the roles required and will set out the actions and reforms needed to improve workforce supply and retention.The national health and wellbeing offer continues to be available to all NHS staff, which includes a confidential text support service, free access to a range of wellbeing apps and support for line managers in having safe and effective wellbeing conversations. In 2022/23, we have invested more than £45 million to support the continuation the health and wellbeing support offer. This includes 40 mental health hubs providing outreach and assessment services for frontline staff, Professional Nurse Advocates and expanding the NHS Practitioner Health service. The NHS Retention Programme aims to understand why staff are leaving, resulting in targeted interventions to support staff to stay whilst keeping them well.

Mental Health Services: Somerton and Frome

David Warburton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve access for young people to mental health services in Somerton and Frome constituency.

Maria Caulfield: In September we announced ‘Our plan for patients’, which outlines how we will increase access to National Health Service mental health services, including in Somerton and Frome. Through the NHS Long Term Plan, we are investing an additional £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 to expand NHS mental health for adults, children and young people in England, including in Somerton and Frome.

Health Services: Learning Disability

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that local authorities are able to provide training to local health services on the needs of residents with learning disabilities.

Will Quince: As set out in regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, service providers must ensure their staff have the necessary training to carry out their roles and responsibilities.The government has introduced, from 1 July 2022, a requirement for Care Quality Commission registered service providers to ensure their employees receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role, as set out in the Health and Care Act 2022.The government has developed and trialled the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training for all health and care staff, based on the respective Core Capability Frameworks for learning disability and for autism. This training will be made available later this year.

Mental Health Services: Bradford East

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of mental health specialists in Bradford East constituency.

Maria Caulfield: The NHS Long Term Plan stated the aim of increasing the mental health workforce in England by an additional 27,000 professionals by 2023/24. NHS England and Health Education England are working with local integrated care systems, including in Bradford East, to confirm plans for service models, supply, retention and recruitment until 2024.NHS England continues to support local systems, including in Bradford East, to develop tailored health and wellbeing offers to meet the needs of the local mental health workforce. This includes mental health hubs in each integrated care system and occupational health services which are being supported through the Growing Occupational Health and Wellbeing national programme.

NHS: Staff

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he will take to ensure the full funding of a workforce plan for the NHS.

Will Quince: In January 2022 the Department commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan. The plan will build on the foundations of the NHS People Plan. The plan is currently being developed by NHS England they are due to complete this work by the end of 2022. The key conclusions will be shared in due course.The work of the long-term workforce plan will be used to inform future government work on how to best meet the needs of patients and the NHS workforce. Funding plans beyond the current Spending Review period will be subject to the outcome of future Spending Reviews.

Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures: Regulation

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans she has to use provisions of the Health and Care Act 2022 to regulate non-surgical cosmetic procedures; and whether that regulation is a policy priority.

Maria Caulfield: We are committed to improving the safety of cosmetic procedures by ensuring that the regulatory framework allows consumers to make informed and safe choices. Officials are considering how a future licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England may be implemented. Any future licensing requirements would be subject to both stakeholder engagement and public consultation to inform the scope and details of the scheme.

Surgery: Bradford East

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of cancelled operations in Bradford East in the last 12 months.

Will Quince: This information is not collected in the format requested.

Health Services: Veterans

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking with the devolved administrations to facilitate cross-border referrals for veterans where there is a clinical need or waiting lists are extremely long.

Maria Caulfield: It is for the devolved administrations to determine health policies for those living in those jurisdictions. In England, all individuals are treated according to clinical need with those requiring urgent treatment prioritised accordingly, irrespective of veteran status. The Department and NHS England meet regularly with National Health Service trusts to discuss waiting lists for planned treatment. This includes assessing current progress on addressing waiting times and sharing advice to deliver on the targets in the ‘Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care’.In addition to mainstream NHS services, there are several bespoke veteran services in England exclusively available to veterans which have shorter waiting times, including Op COURAGE.

Mental Health

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent meetings she has held with mental health stakeholders.

Maria Caulfield: The former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Dr Caroline Johnson MP) met with the mental health charity Mind on 11 October 2022 and attended the Global Mental Health Summit on 13 and 14 October 2022.

General Practitioners

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to and availability of GP (a) services and (b) appointments.

Greg Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to GP services.

Steve Barclay: We expect the measures in 'Our Plan for Patients' to make over a million more appointments available this winter.We have provided 31,000 additional phone lines to practices, freed up funding rules to bolster general practice teams with other professionals, and accelerated support for practices to secure high-quality cloud-based telephony systems.From November 2022, we will publish practice-level data for the first time, giving patients information on appointments at every GP practice in England.

Surgery: Edmonton

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of cancelled operations in Edmonton constituency in the last 12 months.

Will Quince: This information is not collected in the format requested.

Ambulance Services: Cumbria

Dr Neil Hudson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to work with NHS bodies in Cumbria to reduce ambulance waiting times in the region.

Will Quince: NHS England has allocated an additional £150 million for ambulance service pressures in 2022/23, supporting improvements to response times through additional call handler recruitment, retention and other funding requirements, including in Cumbria. The National Health Service is also investing £20 million to upgrade the ambulance fleet in each year to 2024/25, reducing its age profile, increasing productivity and reducing emissions.NHS bed capacity will be increased by the equivalent of at least 7,000 general and acute beds to reduce waiting times for admission from accident and emergency and ambulance handover delays and improve ambulance response times. NHS England is also providing targeted support to some hospitals with the greatest delays in the handover of ambulance patients into hospitals to identify short and longer-term interventions.

Pregnancy Tests

Ed Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent reassessment she has made of the implications for her policy of the recommendations in the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review for victims of hormone pregnancy tests.

Maria Caulfield: We will publish an update on progress to implement the Government’s response in due course.

NHS: Vacancies

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to fill vacancies in the NHS workforce.

Steve Barclay: We are working to ensure the NHS has the workforce it needs for the future.We are committed to delivering 50,000 more nurses by 2024, and are currently on target, with over 29,000 more nurses compared with September 2019. We have funded 1,500 additional undergraduate medical school places in England, and in 2022 we have seen record numbers of undergraduate medical students.We have also commissioned NHSE to develop a long-term workforce plan.

Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care: Finance

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had recent discussions with representatives of the Professional Standards Authority on the adequacy of their funding model.

Will Quince: There have been no discussions between the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and representatives of the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) on the organisation’s funding model.Section 25A of the NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 sets out the process for setting the PSA’s fee. PSA funding is reviewed as part of an annual fees consultation process and the Privy Council is responsible for making the regulations requiring the healthcare regulatory bodies to pay fees to the PSA and for determining the amount they should pay.

Mental Health Services: Edmonton

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve access to mental health services in Edmonton constituency.

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support young people with eating disorders in Edmonton constituency.

Maria Caulfield: In September we announced ‘Our plan for patients’, which outlines how we will increase access to National Health Service mental health and eating disorder services, including in Edmonton. Through the NHS Long Term Plan, we are investing an additional £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 to expand NHS mental health and eating disorder services for adults, children and young people in England, including in Edmonton.We will invest approximately £1 billion in community mental health care for adults with severe mental illness. including eating disorders, by 2023/24 and an additional £53 million per year in children and young people's community eating disorder services to increase capacity in the 70 community eating disorder teams.

Pregnancy Tests

Ed Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she will reassess the findings of the Expert Working Group review on Hormone Pregnancy Tests.

Maria Caulfield: We have no plans to do so.

Midwives: Greater London

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the (a) retention rate of midwives and (b) the number of vacancies for midwives at Barts Health NHS Trust.

Will Quince: NHS England retains oversight of local workforce plans and is updated on vacancy rates. However, recruitment and retention is undertaken at trust level.In 2022, an additional £127 million has been invested in the National Health Service maternity workforce and improving neonatal care, including in West Ham. This is in addition to the £95 million invested in 2021 to fund a further 1,200 midwives and 100 consultant obstetricians. The NHS People Plan focuses on improving the retention of NHS staff by prioritising staff health and wellbeing. In 2022/23, £45 million has been allocated to support the continuation of 40 mental health hubs, the Professional Nurse Advocates programme and expanding the NHS Practitioner Health service.

Mental Health: Cost of Living

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the cost of living crisis on mental health.

Maria Caulfield: No specific assessment has been made. In September we announced ‘Our plan for patients’, which outlines how we will increase access to National Health Service mental health services. Ensuring easier access to general practice will expand this route to access mental health services. Through the NHS Long Term Plan, we are investing an additional £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 to expand NHS mental health services in England.

Surgery: Waiting Lists

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to reduce the backlog of operations in the NHS.

Will Quince: The NHS has published a delivery plan setting out a clear vision for how the NHS will recover and expand elective services over the next three years. To support this recovery, the government plans to spend more than £8 billion from 2022-23 to 2024-25, in addition to the £2 billion Elective Recovery Fund and £700 million Targeted Investment Fund already made available to systems last financial year (2021/2022) to help drive up and protect elective activity. Taken together, this funding could deliver the equivalent of around nine million more checks and procedures and will mean the NHS in England can aim to deliver around 30% more elective activity by 2024-25 than before the pandemic. A significant part of this funding will be invested in staff – both in terms of capacity and skills. The Department has also committed to a £5.9 billion investment in capital – for new beds, equipment and technology. Having met our target to eliminate long waits of two years or more for elective procedures in July, our next ambition is to eliminate waits of eighteen months or more by next April. Steps being taken include increasing capacity, seeking alternate capacity in other trusts or the independent sector, and engaging with patients to understand their choices.

Eating Disorders: Wirral West

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support young people with eating disorders in Wirral West constituency.

Maria Caulfield: In September we announced ‘Our Plan for Patients’, which outlines how we will increase access to National Health Service mental health and eating disorder services, including in Wirral West. Ensuring easier access to general practice will expand this route to access mental health services.Through the NHS Long Term Plan, we are investing an additional £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 to expand these services for adults, children and young people in England, including in Wirral West. We will invest approximately £1 billion in community mental health care for adults with severe mental illness, including eating disorders, by 2023/24 and an additional £53 million per year in children and young people's community eating disorder services to increase capacity in the 70 community eating disorder teams.

Mental Health Services: Garston and Halewood

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of mental health specialists in Garston and Halewood constituency.

Maria Caulfield: The NHS Long Term Plan stated the aim of increasing the mental health workforce in England by an additional 27,000 professionals by 2023/24. NHS England and Health Education England are working with local integrated care systems, including NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, to confirm plans for service models, supply, retention and recruitment until 2024.NHS England continues to support local systems, including NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, to develop tailored health and wellbeing offers to meet the needs of the local mental health workforce. This includes mental health hubs in each integrated care system and occupational health services which are being supported through the Growing Occupational Health and Wellbeing national programme.

Personal Injury: Compensation

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will reconsider the recommendation of the 2020 report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review that an independent Redress Agency be set up to adjudicate on claims from patients arising from pharmaceutical injury.

Maria Caulfield: The Government’s response to the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review did not accept the recommendation to establish a redress agency. It is already possible for the Government and others to provide redress for specific issues, where that is considered necessary. We are prioritising the improvement of safety in medicines and medical devices, setting high standards for industry to market and manufacture products with the aim of reducing harm in the future.

Surgery: Bury South

Christian Wakeford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce waiting times for elective surgeries in Bury South constituency.

Will Quince: The ‘Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care’ sets out how the National Health Service will recover and expand elective services over the next three years, including in Bury South. We have allocated more than £8 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25, in addition to the £2 billion Elective Recovery Fund and £700 million Targeted Investment Fund already made available in 2021/2022 to increase elective activity. This funding aims to deliver the equivalent of approximately nine million additional checks and procedures and 30% further elective activity by 2024/25 than pre-pandemic levels. A proportion of this funding will be invested in workforce capacity and training and we have committed to invest £5.9 billion for new beds, equipment and technology.The target to eliminate waiting times of two years or more for elective procedures was met in July 2022 and we aim to eliminate waiting time of eighteen months or more by April 2023. This will be achieved through increasing capacity, seeking alternate capacity in other trusts or the independent sector and engaging with patients to understand choices made regarding their care.

Surgery: Manchester Withington

Jeff Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many cancelled operations there were in Manchester Withington constituency in the last 12 months.

Will Quince: This information is not collected in the format requested.

Surgery: Edmonton

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care,  what steps her Department is taking to help reduce waiting times for elective surgeries in Edmonton constituency.

Will Quince: The ‘Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care’ sets out how the National Health Service will recover and expand elective services over the next three years, including in Edmonton. We have allocated more than £8 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25, in addition to the £2 billion Elective Recovery Fund and £700 million Targeted Investment Fund already made available in 2021/2022 to increase elective activity. This funding aims to deliver the equivalent of approximately nine million additional checks and procedures and 30% further elective activity by 2024/25 than pre-pandemic levels. A proportion of this funding will be invested in workforce capacity and training and we have committed to invest £5.9 billion for new beds, equipment and technology.The target to eliminate waiting times of two years or more for elective procedures was met in July 2022 and we aim to eliminate waiting time of eighteen months or more by April 2023. This will be achieved through increasing capacity, seeking alternate capacity in other trusts or the independent sector and engaging with patients to understand choices made regarding their care.

Surgery: Luton South

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many operations were cancelled in Luton South constituency in the last 12 months.

Will Quince: This information is not collected in the format requested.

Maternity Services: Death

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress her Department has made on its aim to halve maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths by 2025.

Maria Caulfield: The Government’s national maternity safety ambition aims to halve the 2010 rates of stillbirths, neonatal and maternal deaths and brain injuries in babies occurring during or soon after birth, by 2025. Since 2010, the rate of stillbirths has reduced by 19.3%, the rate of neonatal mortality for babies born over 24 weeks gestational age of viability has reduced by 36% and maternal mortality has reduced by 17%.We have introduced targeted interventions to accelerate progress, such as the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle and the Brain Injury Reduction Programme. NHS England has also invested £127 million in National Health Service maternity workforce and improving neonatal care. This is in addition to the £95 million investment made in 2021 to fund the establishment of a further 1,200 midwifery and 100 consultant obstetrician posts. NHS England is offering funding and support to trusts to recruit an additional 300 to 500 overseas midwives in the next 12 months.

Mental Health Services: Liverpool Wavertree

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her department is taking to help support the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of mental health specialists in Liverpool Wavertree constituency.

Maria Caulfield: The NHS Long Term Plan stated the aim of increasing the mental health workforce in England by an additional 27,000 professionals by 2023/24. NHS England and Health Education England are working with local integrated care systems, including in NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, to confirm plans for service models, supply, retention and recruitment until 2024.NHS England continues to support local systems, including in NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, to develop tailored health and wellbeing offers to meet the needs of the local mental health workforce. This includes mental health hubs in each integrated care system and occupational health services which are being supported through the Growing Occupational Health and Wellbeing national programme.

Mental Health Services: Bradford South

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve access to mental health services in Bradford South constituency.

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support young people with eating disorders in Bradford South constituency.

Maria Caulfield: In September we announced ‘Our Plan for Patients’, which outlines how we will increase access to National Health Service mental health and eating disorder services, including in Bradford South. Ensuring easier access to general practice will expand this route to access mental health services.Through the NHS Long Term Plan, we are investing an additional £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 to expand these services for adults, children and young people in England, including in Bradford South. We will invest approximately £1 billion in community mental health care for adults with severe mental illness, including eating disorders, by 2023/24 and an additional £53 million per year in children and young people's community eating disorder services to increase capacity in the 70 community eating disorder teams.

Department of Health and Social Care: Written Questions

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to answer Question 61956 on General Practitioners: Bradford South, tabled by the hon. Member for Bradford South on 12 October 2022, on whether his Department will take steps to increase the availability of face-to-face GP appointments in Bradford South constituency.

Will Quince: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 October to Question 61956.

Mental Health Services: Batley and Spen

Kim Leadbeater: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve access to mental health services in Batley and Spen constituency.

Maria Caulfield: In September we announced ‘Our plan for patients’, which outlines how we will increase access to National Health Service mental health and eating disorder services, including in Batley and Spen. Ensuring easier access to general practice will expand this route to access mental health services. Through the NHS Long Term Plan, we are investing an additional £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 to expand NHS mental health and eating disorder services for adults, children and young people in England, including in Batley and Spen.We will invest approximately £1 billion in community mental health care for adults with severe mental illness. including eating disorders, by 2023/24 and an additional £53 million per year in children and young people's community eating disorder services to increase capacity in the 70 community eating disorder teams.

Infectious Diseases: Health Services

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Infection Management Coalition’s Whitepaper relating to (a) improved (i) surveillance, (ii) prevention, (iii) screening, (iv) diagnosis, (v) management and (vi) reporting of infection and (b) comprehensive support for people affected by infection and their families.

Neil O'Brien: Several of these recommendations are addressed through existing activities in the Government’s ‘UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2019 to 2024’, including improving surveillance, screening and reporting of infection; embedding infection prevention, screening, diagnosis and management of infection in healthcare settings; and providing comprehensive support for infection, including from sepsis, for patients and their families.

Infectious Diseases: Antibiotics and Diagnosis

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of (a) new antibiotics and (b) rapid diagnostics for infection.

Neil O'Brien: The Department, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and NHS England are testing a ‘subscription-style’ payment model for antibiotics, which aims to incentivise pharmaceutical companies to develop new antimicrobials. The Government also directly supports the development of new antibiotics, such as through UK Research and Innovation, the Global AMR Innovation Fund, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Drug Discovery Group develops procedures for the discovery of new drug combinations.The UKHSA’s laboratory-based methodologies can be applied to the discovery of diagnostics for infections and the NIHR funds translational, clinical and applied health research. Innovate UK also assists researchers progress new antimicrobial and therapeutic tools through the development pathway.

Mental Health Services

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the call for evidence for the Mental health and wellbeing plan, published by her Department on 12 April 2022, whether it is still her Department's policy to publish a 10-year mental health plan.

Maria Caulfield: In response to the mental health and wellbeing call for evidence, we received 5,273 submissions from a range of stakeholders in England. We are currently considering these responses and further information will be available in due course.

Mental Health Services: Luton South

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve access to mental health services in Luton South constituency.

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support young people with eating disorders in Luton South constituency.

Maria Caulfield: In September we announced ‘Our plan for patients’, which outlines how we will increase access to National Health Service mental health and eating disorder services, including in Luton South. Ensuring easier access to general practice will expand this route to access mental health services.Through the NHS Long Term Plan, we are investing an additional £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 to expand NHS mental health and eating disorder services for adults, children and young people in England, including in Luton South.We will invest approximately £1 billion in community mental health care for adults with severe mental illness. including eating disorders, by 2023/24 and an additional £53 million per year in children and young people's community eating disorder services to increase capacity in the 70 community eating disorder teams.

Vaccination

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the rates of vaccine confidence in hard-to-reach groups of the population.

Neil O'Brien: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes annual surveys of parents and adolescents to understand how knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards immunisation, vaccine safety and disease severity influence vaccine uptake decision-making. The results of these surveys have been included in the National Audit Office’s ‘Investigation into pre-school vaccinations’, which is available at the following link:https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/investigation-into-pre-school-vaccinations/The National Institute of Health and Care Research’s Health Protection Research Unit for Vaccines also conducts specific research to understand the causes of inequalities in under-served communities in collaboration with the UKHSA. The Department, the UKHSA and NHS England undertake initiatives to improve access to the immunisation programme such as communication with the public, collating data to identify under-served individuals and populations and training for healthcare professionals.

IVF

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Women's Health Strategy, what the evidential basis was for the commitment to greater transparency of national IVF provision.

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of increasing transparency of national IVF provision on that provision.

Maria Caulfield: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for decisions on the provision of local health services, which should be based on the clinical needs of the local population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s fertility guidelines to ensure equal access to treatment. ICBs publish local commissioning policies and statements online. For fertility services, this will be published in a single location to allow patients to view the level of service offered locally and compare performance in England.

MMR Vaccine

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to increase the uptake of the MMR vaccine.

Neil O'Brien: In February 2022, the Department, the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England launched a new campaign designed to increase awareness and uptake of both doses of the MMR vaccine in children under the age of five years old. NHS England also implemented an MMR catch up campaign in March 2022, including a central call and recall for children aged one to six years old who are not up to date with their MMR vaccines. This was supported by a communications campaign through the health system and with stakeholders.

Offences against Children: Mental Health Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help ensure that children who experience child sexual exploitation have access to adequate psychological support.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help ensure that survivors of child sexual exploitation, including adults, have access to appropriate trauma services.

Maria Caulfield: NHS England commissions a network of 48 sexual assault referral centres (SARCs), which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse, whether recent or non-recent. SARCs offer a range of services including assessment, healthcare, forensic medical examination if required and onward referral to appropriate trauma services or psychological support. The Department is working with NHS England to support the integration of SARC services within the local sexual assault and abuse care pathway to ensure that the needs of survivors of sexual exploitation are addressed.The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme provides evidence-based therapies for people with common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. For adults’ services, all IAPT services employ therapists who are trained to work with clients experiencing trauma including sexual abuse.

Health Services: Females

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Deputy Women’s Health Ambassador will be announced and what the timeline is for their appointment.

Maria Caulfield: Further information will be provided in due course.

IVF

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans her Department has to tackle regional variations in IVF funding; and if she will make it her policy to urgently implement the the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendations of three full cycles for all who are eligible.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she will take to ensure all NHS Trusts provide three full cycles of IVF for eligible women, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines.

Maria Caulfield: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for decisions on the provision of local health services, which should be based on the clinical needs of the local population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) fertility guidelines to ensure equal access to treatment.NICE is currently reviewing the latest clinical evidence to inform new fertility guidelines which is expected to be completed in 2024. The Women’s Health Strategy for England stated the ambition to work with NHS England to address the geographical variation in access to National Health Service-funded fertility services. The Department is currently considering priorities for implementation of the Women’s Health Strategy.

NHS: Staff

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department will maintain its commitment to publishing a long-term NHS workforce plan by the end of 2022; and whether that plan will be underpinned by multi-year funding.

Will Quince: In January 2022, the Department commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan to follow the NHS People Plan. The plan is due for completion by the end of 2022 and its key conclusions will be available in due course. The plan will be used to inform how we can meet the future needs of patients and the National Health Service workforce. Funding plans beyond the current Spending Review period will be subject to the outcome of future Spending Reviews.

Surgery: Ilford North

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce waiting times for elective surgeries in Ilford North constituency.

Will Quince: The ‘Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care’ how the National Health Service will recover and expand elective services over the next three years, including in Ilford North. We have allocated more than £8 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25, in addition to the £2 billion Elective Recovery Fund and £700 million Targeted Investment Fund already made available in 2021/2022 to increase elective activity. This funding aims to deliver the equivalent of approximately nine million additional checks and procedures and 30% further elective activity by 2024/25 than pre-pandemic levels. A proportion of this funding will be invested in workforce capacity and training and we have committed to invest £5.9 billion for new beds, equipment and technology.The target to eliminate waiting times of two years or more for elective procedures was met in July 2022 and we aim to eliminate waiting time of eighteen months or more by April 2023. This will be achieved through increasing capacity, seeking alternate capacity in other trusts or the independent sector and engaging with patients to understand choices made regarding their care.

Evusheld

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has (a) sought and (b) received advice from immunologists on the effectiveness of Evusheld.

Will Quince: The Government’s decision not to procure Evusheld at this time was based on independent clinical advice by the multi-agency RAPID C-19 and a United Kingdom national expert policy working group. RAPID C-19 sought advice from the expert working group, which includes a range of expertise including immunology, virology and relevant specialisms such as oncology. The membership of these groups also included experts in interpreting and analysing complex data, including clinicians and pharmacists, evidence assessors, and researchers.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Aligning the upper age for NHS prescription charge exemptions with the State Pension age, published on 1 July 2022, whether she will take steps to introduce prescription charges for people over the age of 60.

Will Quince: No decisions on the proposals have yet been made. We will respond to the consultation in due course.

NHS: Drugs

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason her Department included branded (a) generic and (b) biosimilar medicines that delivered savings to the NHS within the current voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access scheme.

Will Quince: Medicines which are required to be prescribed by brand name, including some branded generics and biosimilars, are not interchangeable. Therefore, competitive forces will not act in the same way as for generic medicines and price regulation is justified. The inclusion of these medicines in the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access was agreed with industry in 2019.

Hospital Beds: Barking and Dagenham

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of the closure of beds in NHS hospitals across the Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Will Quince: No specific assessment has been made. However, the National Health Service plans to substantially increase capacity and resilience for winter 2022/23. NHS bed capacity will be increased by the equivalent of at least 7,000 general and acute beds, including new physical beds and expanding the use of innovative virtual wards to treat patients safely at home.The Government has also invested £500 million in an Adult Social Care Discharge Fund to assist safe discharges for patients when medically fit and increase bed capacity and reduce waits for emergency care.

Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Integrated Care System and West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

Helen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what meetings she has had with the leaders of (a) West Midlands Ambulance Service and (b), Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICS.

Will Quince: The Department publishes details of ministers’ meetings with external organisations on a quarterly basis, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-overseas-travel-and-meetings#2022

Surgery: Waiting Lists

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many operations have been cancelled as a result of staffing shortages in the NHS in each of the last 12 months.

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many appointments for cancer patients have been cancelled as a result of staffing shortages in the NHS in each of the last 12 months.

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many operations for cancer patients have been cancelled as a result of staffing shortages in the NHS in each of the last 12 months.

Will Quince: This information is not collected in the format requested.

Ambulance Services: Standards

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has taken recent steps to help improve ambulance handover times at hospitals.

Will Quince: NHS England is providing targeted support to some hospitals facing the greatest delays in the handover of ambulance patients into the care of hospitals, to identify short and longer-term interventions. This is in addition to a new national winter improvement collaborative programme to help other trusts identify the causes of handover delays and implement best practice.The National Health Service plan for winter will increase bed capacity by the equivalent of at least 7,000 general and acute beds, improving patient flow through hospital and reducing long waiting times in transferring ambulance patients to accident and emergency (A&E). This complements the investment £450 million in 2020/21 to upgrade A&E facilities in over 120 NHS trusts to increase capacity, reduce overcrowding and clear ambulance queues more quickly.

NHS: Vacancies

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to NHS vacancy statistics, published in June 2022, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the 132,000 full-time equivalent NHS staff vacancies on staff (a) morale and (b) workloads.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the number of full-time equivalent staff vacancies in the NHS on staff (a) morale and (b) levels of burnout.

Will Quince: We are aiming to deliver an additional 50,000 nurses by the end of March 2024, with over 29,000 more nurses working in the National Health Service compared with September 2019. We have also funded an additional 1,500 undergraduate medical school places each year for domestic students in England and delivered five new medical schools in England.The Department has commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan. The plan will consider the number of staff and the roles required and will set out the actions and reforms needed to improve workforce supply and retention, including in Blackburn.The national health and wellbeing offer includes a confidential text support service, free access to a range of wellbeing apps and support for line managers in having safe and effective wellbeing conversations. In 2022/23, over £45 million has been invested to support the continuation the health and wellbeing support offer, which includes 40 mental health hubs providing outreach and assessment services for frontline staff receive rapid access to evidence based mental health services, the Professional Nurse Advocates and expanding the NHS Practitioner Health service. The NHS Retention Programme aims to understand why staff are leaving, resulting in targeted interventions to support staff to stay whilst keeping them well.

NHS: Drugs

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans her Department has to carry out an impact assessment on the effect of an increased voluntary scheme for branded medicine rate to a projected 23.7 per cent in 2023 upon the supply of medicines to the NHS.

Will Quince: The Department has no plans to carry out an impact assessment on the 2023 payment percentage. The Department’s standard practice is to set the payment percentage based on measured sales. The payment percentage projected for 2023 is in line with Department projections shared with industry when the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS) was agreed.We have seen no evidence that increased VPAS payments have or will impact on the supply of medicines to the National Health Service. Where payment rates may put pressure on the profitability of individual products, there are provisions in the scheme for companies to apply for a price increase.

NHS: Living Wage

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to ensure that subcontracted NHS workers are paid at least a Real Living Wage.

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to tackle the widening pay gap between subcontracted NHS workers and public sector workers.

Will Quince: All organisations must ensure that all employees receive at least the National Living Wage, which in 2022/23 is a minimum of £9.50 per hour based on the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission. Independent organisations can develop and adopt the terms and conditions of employment, including pay, which can attract and retain the appropriate staff. However, we would expect that employers would determine pay which reflects the skills and experience of staff.

Health Professions: Training

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the role of digital technology in NHS (a) training and (b) professional development.

Will Quince: ‘The Topol Review: Preparing the healthcare workforce to deliver the digital future’ published by Health Education England (HEE) in February 2019, assessed how to prepare the healthcare workforce through education and training. The review has strengthened ongoing workforce training and education while making further recommendations. Since its publication, HEE has engaged with system partners to implement the educational recommendations to support a digitally enabled health system.In addition, HEE is addressing education and training needs through a range of digital and technological projects, programmes and services, including Digital, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Technologies in Education, Blended Learning, Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL), Virtual Hybrid Learning Faculty, the eLearning for healthcare Hub and TEL Simulation and Immersive Technologies Portfolio.

NHS: Sunderland Central

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) financial and (b) other steps her Department is taking to help tackle NHS workforce shortages in Sunderland Central constituency.

Will Quince: The Department has commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan. The plan will consider the number of staff and the roles required and will set out the actions and reforms needed to improve workforce supply and retention, including in Sunderland Central.

Junior Doctors: Training

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many applicants for junior doctor places were (a) unsuccessful in gaining a place on a course and (b) placed on a waiting list before being subsequently unsuccessful in gaining a place on a course in 2022.

Will Quince: All United Kingdom applicants to foundation training were successful in gaining a place in 2022. There were 2,585 junior doctors placed on a specialty training waiting list who were subsequently unsuccessful in gaining a place on a course in 2022.

NHS: Staff

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of bringing outsourced NHS workers back in house.

Will Quince: The National Health Service adopts different approaches to securing an effective workforce to respond to a variety of situations. Both insourcing and outsourcing remain legitimate resourcing strategies and should be undertaken in line with established best practice.

General Practitioners: York

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of GP surgeries were rated as good by the Care Quality Commission in (a) York and (b) York Central Constituency as of 18 October 2022.

Neil O'Brien: There are five or 100% of general practitioner practice locations in the York Central constituency currently rated by the Care Quality Commission as ‘good’ overall. There are four or 80% of practices rated as ‘good’ in the York Outer constituency.

NHS: Weaver Vale

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) financial and (b) other steps her Department is taking to help tackle NHS workforce shortages in Weaver Vale constituency.

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) financial and (b) other steps her Department is taking to help tackle NHS workforce shortages in Weaver Vale constituency.

Will Quince: The Department has commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan. The plan will consider the number of staff and the roles required and will set out the actions and reforms needed to improve workforce supply and retention, including in Weaver Vale.

Health Services: Disadvantaged

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans her Department has for improving access to technology to help tackle geographical inequalities in health services.

Will Quince: We aim to support more people being cared for in their homes through remote monitoring, digital elective care pathways and improved connectivity. NHS England will also publish a framework for National Health Service action on digital inclusion in spring 2023. NHS Digital’s Future Connectivity programme is working with local NHS organisations to deliver access to reliable, high-speed connectivity and demand for bandwidth to enable the successful adoption of digital services. We have upgraded the infrastructure of approximately 900 NHS premises and intend to upgrade a further 500 by March 2023.

Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions she has with representatives of (a) pharmaceutical and (b) life science companies on changes in the 2019 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access rebate rate.

Will Quince: The Department’s Ministerial meetings are published on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-overseas-travel-and-meetings#2022

Immunology

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to establish a UK wide Predictive Immunology Network.

Will Quince: The Life Sciences Vision committed to delivering a vaccines healthcare mission which will focus on maximising the opportunities to improve core immunology, vaccinology and clinical trial design and infrastructure. The Government is working with experts in this area to design the most appropriate mechanism for delivery.

Muscular Dystrophy: Research

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 September 2022 to Question 51448, on Muscular Dystrophy: Research (a) whether the NIHR plans to fund research into the cause and potential treatments for Distal Myopathy-5 and ADSSL1 Myopathy and (b) if she will make an assessment of research being undertaken in other countries into this disease.

Will Quince: The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has no plans to issue any specific commissioned calls for research. The NIHR welcomes applications for funding into any area of health and care research. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. There are no plans to make a comparative assessment of specific research being undertaken in other countries.

Medical Treatments

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to support companies to (a) develop and (b) deploy life-saving health technology solutions.

Will Quince: We are supporting companies to develop and deploy health technologies, including the Data for Research and Development Programme to make research-ready data available to innovators in a streamlined and secure way. The Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award provides funding and practical support to the most promising AI technologies, including 30 which are being deployed for testing and the small Business Research Initiative Healthcare Award programme supports innovators and entrepreneurs in health and social care.‘A plan for digital health and social care’ published in June 2022 also set out how we are developing and embedding technology and digital solutions in the National Health Service.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will provide the resources necessary to the MHRA to achieve the UK’s HealthTech regulatory ambition.

Will Quince: The Government is committed to providing the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) with the resources to foster the United Kingdom’s regulatory ambitions on innovative medicines and medical devices. Funding for the MHRA is determined in advance through collaborative Spending Review processes. Funding from the Spending Review has been provided for its transformation programme to facilitate the MHRA’s aim of becoming a global exemplar in public health and patient safety. The MHRA is currently consulting on increases to its statutory fees to ensure all costs involved in delivery are recovered.

HIV Infection: Worsley and Eccles South

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people were diagnosed with HIV in Worsley and Eccles South constituency in each of the last five years.

Neil O'Brien: The information is not collected in the format requested.

Nurses: Vacancies

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS nurse vacancies there have been in the UK, by region, in each of the last five years.

Will Quince: The following table table shows the number of full-time equivalent nursing vacancies in each English National Health Service region in June of each year since 2018. June 2018June 2019June 2020June 2021June 2022All regions42,58944,19537,76038,81446,828East of England4,7214,3763,0583,2574,228London9,95010,4139,1129,12111,185Midlands8,0928,5967,8387,9259,336North East and Yorkshire4,8075,3225,1314,9046,050North West5,1485,4745,0725,0335,754South East6,4736,4815,4535,8576,645South West3,3983,5312,0972,7173,631 Source: NHS Digital Quarterly Workforce Statistics June 2022

Podiatry: Bootle

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made (a) podiatry vacancy rates in the NHS in Bootle constituency and (b) the impact these vacancies will have on patient treatment for diabetic foot complications.

Will Quince: No specific assessment has been made as this information is not collected centrally.

Nurses: Recruitment

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she plans to take steps to (a) increase the number of nurses recruited into the NHS and (b) help ensure NHS nurses feel valued in order to increase retention.

Will Quince: We are on schedule to deliver an additional 50,000 nurses by the end of March 2024, with over 29,000 more nurses working in the National Health Service compared with September 2019. Organisations are responsible for developing retention plans, which can be informed by guidance for NHS employers and the 2020 NHS People Plan.

HIV Infection

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answers of 28 September 2022 to Questions 49751 and 49752 on HIV Infection, whether (a) her Department and (b) the UK Health Security Agency plans to carry out a formal assessment.

Neil O'Brien: The UK Health Security Agency will publish a HIV monitoring and evaluation framework on the key indicators needed to achieve zero HIV transmissions. This is due to be published in March 2023 and will include an assessment of the number of people with missing viral load information for at least two consecutive years.

Alfacalcidol

Aaron Bell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has had recent discussions with suppliers of One Alpha on the procurement of that product for people with hypoparathyroidism.

Will Quince: There have been no specific discussions. We are aware of a shortage of the one microgram capsules due to manufacturing delays, which is expected to be resolved in November 2022. There are two alternative suppliers of alfacalcidol one microgram capsules which remain in stock with no anticipated supply issues.

NHS: Resignations

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) nurses, (b) health visitors and (c) hospital and community health services doctors left the NHS in England in 2021-22 broken down by reason for leaving.

Will Quince: The following table shows annual leavers and the reason for leaving in National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) staff groups in NHS trusts and other core organisations from 30 April 2021 to 30 April 2022, headcount. Reason for leavingHCHS DoctorsNursesHealth visitorsAll reasons20,21839,9121,032Bank Staff not fulfilled minimum work requirement1712-Death in Service402021Dismissal - Capability1519414Dismissal - Conduct221321Dismissal - Some Other Substantial Reason13831Dismissal - Statutory Reason44-Employee Transfer6724516End of Fixed Term Contract3,7413244End of Fixed Term Contract - Completion of Training Scheme77921-End of Fixed Term Contract - End of Work Requirement188772End of Fixed Term Contract - External Rotation1,2532-End of Fixed Term Contract - Other49174-Flexi Retirement9856337Has Not Worked912-Merged Organisation - Duplicate Record1--Mutually Agreed Resignation - Local Scheme with Repayment-19-Mutually Agreed Resignation - National Scheme with Repayment33-Pregnancy-3-Redundancy - Compulsory59-Redundancy - Voluntary5301Retirement - Ill Health432729Retirement Age1,0815,697281Voluntary Early Retirement - no Actuarial Reduction5135916Voluntary Early Retirement - with Actuarial Reduction542024Voluntary Resignation - Adult Dependants321964Voluntary Resignation - Better Reward Package565398Voluntary Resignation - Child Dependants3438714Voluntary Resignation - Health6284729Voluntary Resignation - Incompatible Working Relationships202125Voluntary Resignation - Lack of Opportunities372276Voluntary Resignation - Other/Not Known1,4163,41563Voluntary Resignation - Promotion2261,49930Voluntary Resignation - Relocation8533,58743Voluntary Resignation - To undertake further education or training2553769Voluntary Resignation - Work Life Balance3804,107138Unknown8,91916,052297 Source: NHS Digital, NHS HCHS workforce statistics.Notes:Leavers data are based on headcount and shows staff leaving active service, this would include those going on maternity leave or career break.Data are calculated on an annual basis.Leavers records are linked to a separate Electronic Staff Record Reasons for Leaving dataset. In many instances the Reason for Leaving record has not been completed, which accounts for the Unknown records.Totals for NHS leavers which are different to the sum of constituent parts indicate where staff have left the NHS in more than one post.' - ' denotes zero

Midwives: Slough

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of midwives in Slough constituency.

Will Quince: NHS England retains oversight of local workforce plans and is updated on vacancy rates. However, recruitment and retention is undertaken at trust level. In 2022, an additional £127 million has been invested in the National Health Service maternity workforce and improving neonatal care, including in Slough. This is in addition to the £95 million invested in 2021 to fund a further 1,200 midwives and 100 consultant obstetricians. The NHS People Plan focuses on improving the retention of NHS staff by prioritising staff health and wellbeing. In 2022/23, £45 million has been allocated to support the continuation of 40 mental health hubs, the Professional Nurse Advocates programme and expanding the NHS Practitioner Health service.

Care Homes: Washington and Sunderland West

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of residential care homes that have closed in Washington and Sunderland West constituency since 2010.

Helen Whately: The Care Quality Commission records care homes which have closed as ‘deactivated’. Since 2010, four nursing homes and ten residential homes in Washington and Sunderland West have been deactivated. The ‘deactivated’ locations exclude care homes where the provider continues to operate under a new, separate registration, which may be due to a change in legal entity or provider.Some care homes have both types of care home service with nursing and care home service without nursing and in these cases, the home is classified as a nursing home. A residential home is a care home service without nursing.

Care Homes: Worsley and Eccles South

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of care homes were rated as good by the Care Quality Commission in Worsley and Eccles South constituency as of 13 October 2022.

Helen Whately: As of 13 October 2022, 7 care homes (58.3 per cent) in the Worsley and Eccles South constituency are currently rated by the Care Quality Commission as good overall.

Care Homes: York

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of care homes were rated as good by the Care Quality Commission in (a) York and (b) York Central constituency as of 18 October 2022.

Helen Whately: As of 18 October 2022, 14 care homes (66.7 per cent) in the York Outer constituency are currently rated by the Care Quality Commission as good overall. In the York Central constituency there are 12 (70.6 per cent).

Social Services: Reform

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it remains her policy to implement the proposals on adult social care reform in the (a) white paper entitled People at the Heart of Care: adult social care reform, published in December 2021, CP 560, (b) white paper entitled Health and social care integration: joining up care for people, places and populations, published in February 2022, CP 573, (c) policy paper entitled A plan for digital health and social care, published on 29 June 2022 and (d) policy paper entitled Data saves lives: reshaping health and social care with data, updated on 15 June 2022.

Helen Whately: The Government remains committed to adult social care reform, including increasing integration between health and social care, digital transformation, and utilising data.

HIV Infection: Garston and Halewood

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people were diagnosed with HIV in Garston and Halewood constituency in each of the last five years.

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people were diagnosed with HIV in Walsall South constituency in each of the last five years.

Neil O'Brien: The information is not collected in the format requested.

Care Homes: York

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of residential care homes that have closed in (a) York and (b) York Central constituency in each of the last 5 years.

Helen Whately: The Care Quality Commission records care homes which have closed as ‘deactivated’. Since 2017, 7 care homes in York Central and 6 in York Outer have been deactivated. The ‘deactivated’ locations exclude care homes where the provider continues to operate under a new, separate registration, which may be due to a change in legal entity or provider.Some care homes have both types of care home service with nursing and care home service without nursing and in these cases, the home is classified as a nursing home. A residential home is a care home service without nursing.

Care Homes: Leeds North West

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of care homes were rated as good by the Care Quality Commission in Leeds North West constituency as of October 2022.

Helen Whately: As of 17 October 2022, 8 care homes (53.3 per cent) in the Leeds North West constituency are currently rated by the Care Quality Commission as good overall.

Social Services: Finance

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the context of the planned reduction in National Insurance contributions from November 2022, from which budget additional social care funding will be drawn in the absence of that revenue; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Whately: In December 2021, we published ‘People at the Heart of Care’ which set out a 10-year vision for reforming adult social care, supported by £5.4 billion over three years from the Health and Care Levy. While we are repealing the Levy, overall funding for health and social care services will be maintained at the same level and will come from general taxation.

Department for Education

Children: Social Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for the delivery of children’s social care in local authorities.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to create a direct funding formula based on a per child basis for children in social care.

Claire Coutinho: Local authorities set their own children’s services budget from their core spending power, based on local need and priorities, and they have increased spend on children’s services over time. In 2020/21 councils spent £11.1 billion on children’s and young people’s services.The department has boosted real-terms funding to local authorities, including creating the social care grant, which has risen from £410 million in 2019 to £2.35 billion this year. In total in 2022/23, councils have access to over £54 billion in core spending power for their services, including for children and young people. This is £3.7 billion more than in 2021/22.As announced in May 2022, the department will consider the recommendations of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, the National Panel Review into the murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson and the Competition and Market Authority study into Children’s Social Care Placements and set out plans for Children’s Social Care reform through an implementation strategy. This includes considering the recommendation to introduce an updated funding formula for children’s services.

Children in Care

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children and young people are in (a) social care, (b) residential care and (c) foster care placements, (i) nationally and (ii) in York.

Claire Coutinho: Information on the numbers of children and young people who are in social care by placement type, both at national level, and for each local authority is published annually in our statistical release, ‘Children looked after in England (including adoptions)’. This can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions.The number of looked after children on 31st March 2021 in social care, foster placements and residential settings in York local authority and England, can been found in the attached table.Care in York local authority (xlsx, 26.9KB)

Care Workers: Children in Care

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will take steps to ensure that all care workers in child residential care settings are regulated.

Claire Coutinho: The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 set minimum qualifications levels for residential support workers and managers. The manager of a children’s home must hold a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or equivalent, and is required to be registered with Ofsted. Support staff must hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent. Staff starting to work in a care role have two years to gain the qualification. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the Independent Review into Children’s Social Care recommended professional registration of staff working in children’s homes. This recommendation is being closely considered. The department’s response to the recommendations from the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care final report will be set out in an implementation strategy in due course.

Childcare: Bristol South

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of childcare provision in Bristol South constituency.

Claire Coutinho: The key measure of sufficiency of childcare provision is whether the supply of available places is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents and children. Ofsted data currently shows that the number of places offered by providers on the Early Years Register has remained broadly stable at 1.3 million places since August 2015.Officials from the department also discuss sufficiency of provision in regular conversations with local authorities.Under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006, local authorities are responsible for ensuring sufficient childcare places in their area. The department has not been made aware by any local authority of any current sufficiency problem. Bristol City Council, which holds the statutory duty to secure sufficient childcare in Bristol South constituency, is not reporting any issues around provision.

Children in Care

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he is taking steps to end the use of unregulated care settings for children aged 16 and 17.

Claire Coutinho: Following the department’s ongoing reforms, all placements accommodating looked-after children and care leavers up to age 18 will be regulated by Ofsted. Some older children aged 16 and 17 live in supported accommodation, sometimes referred to as unregulated provision, as it is not currently subject to Ofsted registration and inspection. The department is clear that supported accommodation can be the right option for some older children where it is high quality, meets their needs and keeps them safe. However, we know that the standard of this provision is not consistently high. For this reason, the department is investing over £142 million across the next three years to fund the introduction of new mandatory national standards, Ofsted registration, and inspection for providers of supported accommodation. Regulation will ensure that local authorities can be confident when making placements in this provision, enable Ofsted’s ability to take action against poor providers and ensure children live in safe and high-quality accommodation that meets their needs. Further information on the department’s plans to reform this area is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transformational-investment-in-childrens-social-care-placements.

Carers

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the potential cost of providing kinship carers with a non-means tested allowance at the same rate as foster carers who look after a child in care.

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a right to kinship leave for special guardians and kinship carers with a child arrangements order.

Claire Coutinho: The recently published Independent Review of Children’s Social Care set out recommendations on how the government can better support kinship families. The department is currently considering how we can take these recommendations forward, including the recommendations to create an allowance and a new entitlement to kinship leave for all special guardians and kinship carers with a Child Arrangements Order in place. The department is rapidly working up an ambitious and comprehensive implementation strategy in response to the recommendations in the Review, which will be announced in due course.

Child Sexual Abuse Independent Panel Inquiry

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to work with the Home Secretary to implement the findings of the Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse.

Claire Coutinho: The department has a statutory obligation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) as a witness to the inquiry, and has been a core participant in 9 out of 15 of the investigations that the IICSA has reported on. The department leads on national policy for safeguarding and children’s social care, and works closely with the Home Office to ensure that the child’s voice is reflected in all policy decisions, and that the child’s experience and wellbeing is consistently brought to the forefront.The department will be reviewing the inquiry’s recommendations and will work closely with other government departments to respond in due course. In the meantime, there will continue to be a concerted effort to ensure a whole system response to tackling child sexual abuse.

Childcare: Wirral West

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) nurseries and (b) other early years childcare settings that have closed in Wirral West constituency in the last 12 months.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Leigh constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Hartlepool constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Dover constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Ipswich constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in York Outer constituency since 2010; and what proportion of those were (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Plymouth Moor View constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Peterborough constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Hendon constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Cities of London and Westminster constituency since 2010; and of these how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Norwich North constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in South Swindon constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Chingford and Woodford Green constituency since 2010; and of these how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Bishop Auckland constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Burnley constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Erewash constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Shipley constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Bassetlaw constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in Southampton Itchen constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many nurseries have closed in West Lancashire constituency since 2010; and of those how many are (a) maintained nursery schools, (b) not-for-profit nurseries and (c) for profit nurseries.

Claire Coutinho: This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the hon. Member, and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

National Tutoring Programme: Barnsley Central

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much was spent in Barnsley Central through the National Tutoring Programme in each month since it was launched.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not hold information on Tuition Partners or Academic Mentors in the required format at constituency level for the 2021/22 academic year.School-led tutoring grant allocations by school and local authority for the 2021/22 academic year have been published. These can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1071234/School_Led_Funding_Publication_File_flat_values_v1.ods.Payment information relating to school-led tutoring for the 2021/22 academic year will be published by the Education Schools and Funding Agency once the reconciliation process has been completed for that period.National Tutoring Programme grant allocations for the 2022/23 academic year have been published. These are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-tutoring-programme-ntp-allocations-for-2022-to-2023-academic-year.Between November 2020 and June 2022, over 2 million tuition courses were started. The Government has committed more than £1 billion to support tutoring over the academic years from 2020/21 to 2023/24, during which the Department aims to offer up to six million tutoring courses.

Teachers: Recruitment

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to improve the recruitment and retention of teachers.

Nick Gibb: The Department is investing £181 million in financial incentives. This includes tax free bursaries worth £27,000 and tax free scholarships worth £29,000, to encourage talented trainees to train in key subjects such as chemistry, computing, mathematics and physics. The Department is also offering a £25,000 tax free bursary for geography and languages, a £20,000 tax free bursary for biology and design & technology and a £15,000 tax free bursary for English.For the 2023/24 academic year, the Department has extended bursary and scholarship eligibility to all non-UK national trainees in physics and languages. This is part of a wider package of new measures to make teaching in England even more attractive to the best teachers and trainee teachers from around the world. This also includes a relocation premium to help those moving to England with the costs of visas and other expenses.The Department remains on track to deliver £30,000 starting salaries to attract and retain the best teachers. Additionally, the Department has announced a tax free Levelling Up Premium worth up to £3,000 for maths, physics, chemistry, and computing teachers in the first five years of their careers, who choose to work in disadvantaged schools, including in Education Investment Areas.To support retention in the crucial first few years of teaching, the Department has rolled out the Early Career Framework nationally. This provides solid foundations for a career in teaching, backed by over £130 million a year in funding, and a new and updated suite of fully funded National Professional Qualifications to support teachers and school leaders at all levels to continuously develop their expertise.The Department has published a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, working with the profession to understand and address longstanding issues around marking, planning and data management. The school workload reduction toolkit has been developed alongside school leaders and is a helpful resource for schools that can enable them to reduce workload. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-workload-reduction-toolkit.Additionally, the Department has worked in partnership with the education sector and mental health experts to develop the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, which schools are encouraged to sign up to.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the implications of the disadvantage gap index at the most recent provisional key stage 4 data release; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: Key Stage 4 results from 2022 have shown that the disadvantage gap index has widened for this year group compared to the 2020/21 academic year, from 3.79 to 3.84.The Department is aware that disadvantaged children have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are committed to helping these pupils to recover and to close the attainment gap.The Schools White Paper, published in March 2022, includes a vision for a school system that helps every child to fulfil their potential by ensuring that they have the right support, in the right place, at the right time, founded on achieving world-class literacy and numeracy.Almost £5 billion has been announced for an ambitious, multi-year education recovery plan to support young people in catching up on missed education. Recovery programmes, such as the Recovery Premium, the National Tutoring Programme, and 16-19 Tuition Fund are especially focused on helping the most disadvantaged pupils and students.Schools also continue to receive the Pupil Premium, worth over £2.6 billion this financial year (2022/23), to enable them to provide extra support and improve disadvantaged pupils’ academic and personal achievements.

Teachers: Training

Matt Western: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to encourage recently accredited providers to consider partnering with unsuccessful applicants to the initial teacher training market review.

Nick Gibb: Following the recent accreditation process, 179 universities and School Centred Initial Teacher Training schools were accredited to deliver high quality initial teacher training (ITT) from September 2024. The Department will work closely with these accredited settings to better understand their plans for delivery from September 2024, and help them build their capacity to cover areas that require greater provision. Partnerships are already forming, and the Department will further facilitate the formation of partnerships between accredited settings and unaccredited settings who wish to remain in the market beyond Autumn 2024.The accredited setting is accountable for the quality of planning and delivery of the overall curriculum within partnerships. They can benefit from their partners’ expertise, knowledge and networks to ensure strong delivery of ITT provision for their community. Partnering will also enable the sharing of best practice between colleagues, bringing new perspectives to organisations, reaching new areas and increasing their current provision.The Department will provide further information in due course on the support available to those considering forming new partnerships.

Ministry of Justice

Offenders: Employment

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made made of the potential effect on reoffending rates of employment of former prisoners.

Damian Hinds: Getting more prison leavers into employment is crucial to this government’s mission to cut crime and to make our streets safer by reducing reoffending.We know that employment reduces the chance of reoffending significantly, by up to nine percentage points. That is why we set out robust plans to improve employment outcomes for prison leavers in the December Prisons Strategy White Paper. We know, too, that education reduces the chance of reoffending by up to nine percentage points. Our new Prisoner Education Service will ensure prisoners improve skills such as literacy and numeracy, acquire relevant vocational qualifications, and access employment and training opportunities on release.

Prisons: Crimes of Violence

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison staff were assaulted during the month of October 2022.

Damian Hinds: Data on assaults on prison staff are published quarterly in the ‘Safety in Custody’ statistical bulletin, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics. The data for October 2022 are scheduled for publication on 27 April 2023.

Divorce

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of divorces.

Mike Freer: Marriage will always be a vital institution in our society, but divorce does sadly occur. The Government is committed to supporting families. That is why we have announced over £1billion for programmes to improve family services, including family hubs and investing in the Supporting Families programme. We have published guidance for local authorities on the services we expect family hubs to offer, which includes helping families to access support for separating and separated parents.

Rape: Trials

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the trial specialist rape courts in (a) Leeds, (b) Newcastle and (c) Snaresbrook held their first trial

Edward Argar: On 16 June 2022, we announced the introduction of the Specialist Sexual Violence Support in the Crown Court project at three locations: Leeds, Newcastle, and Snaresbrook in London. It aims to improve the support on offer in court for victims of rape and sexual violence and to increase the throughput of cases going through the courts.The first phase of the project has begun, and between now and March 2023 we will introduce further measures to improve victim experience and increase the throughput of cases. We have been working closely with the Judiciary, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the victims’ sector to begin a phased introduction of these measures, which include trauma-informed training, a technology uplift and the improvement of facilities. This phased approach will ensure that we have time to work through the complexities of the work in order to produce the best possible outcomes for victims.Throughout this work, cases - including rape cases - have been heard and will continue to be heard at all three court centres.

Social Security and Child Support Tribunal

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, to provide details of his Department's expenditure on costs relating to appeals to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal, for each financial year from 2010-11 to the latest year for which data is available.

Mike Freer: The total cost to HM Courts & Tribunals Service for the administration of the Social Security & Child Support Tribunal for available financial years 2013-14 to 2021-22 is broken down as:£000s 2013-14 2014-15  2015-16  2016-17 2017-18  2018-19  2019-20  2020-21  2021-22 Staff Costs25,45220,90915,48614,91316,03317,42215,57714,13713,410Judicial Salaries & Fees63,92832,82742,67252,00760,94461,53166,27456,92148,057Other Costs33,40724,24025,05326,29927,10924,71426,27919,99422,244Frontline Support4,7121,6311,9322,0581,7581,6652,0252,1052,199Headquarters Support12,2217,7517,41210,49915,63912,47211,61711,63614,148 Total Costs 139,720 87,357 92,554 105,776 121,483 117,804 121,772 104,793 100,057  This includes overheads such as costs of the estate, provision of information & technology services, and human resources support.HM Courts & Tribunals Service is unable to isolate cost data relating to individual benefit types.Equivalent data for 2010-11 to 2012-13 is not available.

Courts and Tribunals: Closures

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) magistrates’ courts, (b) county courts, (c) dedicated tribunal buildings, (d) family courts and (e) crown courts have closed since 2010.

Mike Freer: Since 2010, the following courts and tribunals have closed according to jurisdictional type:Court and tribunal closures since 2010 by jurisdictionMagistrates*CountyTribunalsCrown**1636858*Includes 12 magistrates’ courts that were co-located with a county court.**Includes 4 Crown Courts that were co-located with another jurisdiction.Our court closure data is categorised by the jurisdictions as shown in the table above, we are not able to categorise courts that heard, or were considered capable of conducting Family hearings.The decision to close any court is not taken lightly, it only happens following full public consultation and only where sufficient capacity existed in other nearby courts to accommodate the work of the closing courts, and where suitable facilities are available. Courts that have closed were either underused, dilapidated or too close to one another.

Courts and Tribunals: Closures

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list the courts and tribunals that his Department has closed in England and Wales since 2010.

Mike Freer: The list of courts and tribunals provided on 10 February 2022 in response to PQ 119601 remains current.The decision to close any court is not taken lightly, it only happens following full public consultation and only when effective access to justice can be maintained. Courts that have closed were either underused, dilapidated or too close to one another.

Prisoner Escapes and Prisoners' Release

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners have (a) escaped from prison and (b) been accidentally released from prison since 2010.

Damian Hinds: The number of prisoners who have escaped from prison and been accidentally released from prison since 2010 can be found in the following link at tables 1.2 and 1.16: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1094610/Ch_1_Escapes_etc_FINAL.xlsx.

Courts

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to tackle the backlog in court cases.

Mike Freer: The Government is committed to supporting the recovery of the courts and our decisive action kept justice moving during the pandemic. Now that barristers have returned to work, we can work together to drive down the backlog and ensure victims see justice served sooner.To increase capacity in the Criminal Justice System, we have removed the limit on sitting days in the Crown Court for the second year in a row and extended 30 Nightingale courtrooms beyond the end of March 2022. We have extended Magistrates’ sentencing powers have been extended from 6 to 12 months' imprisonment for a single Triable Either Way offence to allow more cases to be heard in the Magistrates’ Court. These actions will deliver swifter justice for victims and reduce the backlog of cases.Over the next three financial years, we are investing an extra £477 million for the Criminal Justice System to help improve waiting times for victims of crime and address the Crown Court backlog.Over the next three financial years we are also investing £324 million to further improve waiting times in the civil and family courts, and tribunals. In July 2022, we introduced a Virtual Region pilot scheme to support civil and family courts in London and the South-East. In March 2021 we launched the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme to encourage people to resolve their disputes outside of court where safe and appropriate to do so.Across all jurisdictions, we are recruiting more judges to enable us to sit at the maximum possible level over the coming years.

Human Rights

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to reform the UK human rights framework.

Mike Freer: The Bill of Rights received its first reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday 22 June 2022. This follows the consideration of over 12,800 responses to the Government’s consultation, which closed on 19 April 2022.The Bill delivers on the Government’s manifesto commitment to ‘[…] update the Human Rights Act and administrative law to ensure there is a proper balance between the rights of individuals, our vital national security and effective government.’Our reforms will curtail the abuses of human rights, restore some common sense to our justice system, and ensure that our human rights framework meets the needs of the society it serves.

Victim Support Schemes

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he will take to improve support for victims in the criminal justice system.

Edward Argar: Supporting victims of crime is a priority for this government. We know that victim support services are crucial for victims to rebuild and recover from the impact of crime. We are increasing the funding for these services to £192 million a year by 2024/25, an uplift of 92% on core budgets in 2020/21 and more than quadruple the level in 2009/10 (£41 million). We have committed £154 million of this budget per annum on a multi-year basis, for the next three years (2022/23 to 2024/25 inclusive), allowing victim support services to build capacity and strengthen resilience.In May, we published a draft Victims Bill, along with a wider package of measures, that will strengthen oversight of criminal justice agencies, amplify victims’ voices in the criminal justice process and improve the support they receive.We received the Justice Select Committee’s pre-legislative scrutiny report on the draft Victims Bill on 30 September and are carefully considering the recommendations.

Prisoners: Radicalism

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress his Department has made on tackling extremism within prisons.

Damian Hinds: I refer my Hon. Friend, the Member for Stockton South, to the answer given by my predecessor on Wednesday 29 June 2022 to Question 23808, and include a direct link to that answer from Written Questions, Answers and Statements – UIN 23808.As outlined in that previous answer, following the tragic attacks in 2019 and 2020 at Fishmongers’ Hall, Whitemoor Prison, Streatham and Reading, we have overhauled our approach to counter terrorism in prisons. Through the CT Step Up Programme, we have uplifted our capacity and addressed gaps in our capabilities to tackle the terrorist threat, including:Establishing a new central hub to improve intelligence sharing between MI5, the Police, and HMPPS; andDeveloping our new Counter Terrorism Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre for expert psychologists and specialist staff to research, implement and evaluate special programmes to draw offenders away from extremism.We have also ended the automatic early release of terrorists through the Terrorist Offenders Act 2020 and introduced a 14-year minimum jail term for the most dangerous terrorist offenders through the Counter Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021. These vital laws mark the largest overhaul of terrorist legislation in decades.

Prisoners: Training

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to help prisoners develop new skills before leaving prison.

Damian Hinds: We are delivering a new Prisoner Education Service, focused on work-based training and skills, which will help to improve prisoners’ employability ahead of release. This will help to cut crime and bring us safer streets by reducing reoffending, while helping to fill skills shortages in the economy.As part of this work, we changed the law in September this year so that prisoners who are assessed as safe for Release on Temporary Licence can undertake apprenticeships. The first prisoner apprentices have started work on highway maintenance and in hospitality.We are also building stronger links with employers, including through our prison Employment Advisory Boards. Chaired by local business leaders, they will provide challenge and advice on how to align the training delivered in prisons with the skills our labour market needs. Chairs have now been appointed to 72 Employment Advisory Boards.

Crime: Drugs

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking through the criminal justice system to tackle alcohol and drug related crime.

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to tackle drug use in prisons.

Damian Hinds: The cross-government Drugs Strategy, published in December 2021, sets out a 10-year plan to reduce the supply and demand for drugs, deliver a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reduce drug harms. The strategy was underpinned by record £900m investment across government to tackle drug misuse, including £120m funding for the MoJ to get more offenders into treatment.To do this we are: piloting Problem-Solving Courts to combat drug and alcohol fuelled crime; rolling out Drug Recovery Wings where prisoners commit to remain abstinent and undergo regular voluntary drug tests; recruiting Drug Strategy Leads in all male category C and women's prisons to coordinate a whole system approach to tackling drugs, as well as Health and Justice Coordinators across all probation regions to ensure continuity of care for prison leavers.This is all in addition to the existing £100m already invested to combat crime in prisons, including reducing the conveyance of illicit items such as drugs and mobile phones.

Ministry of Justice: Location

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what payments were made to civil servants in his Department for relocation costs to government offices outside London in 2021.

Mike Freer: We are achieving our Places for Growth targets through recruiting roles in London (as they become vacant) to our national office network. Therefore, there have been no relocation costs for civil servants into offices outside of London as individuals have not been moved. Instead as roles become vacant through natural attrition, roles are advertised and filled nationally.

Courts and Tribunals: Closures

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list the courts and tribunals that his Department has listed for closure in England and Wales since 2010.

Mike Freer: The table below provides a list of all courts and tribunals that have been listed for closure since 2010.Court or Tribunal closed since 2010Aberdare County CourtAberdare Magistrates' CourtAbergavenny Magistrates' CourtAbertillery Magistrates' CourtAccrington County CourtAccrington Magistrates' CourtActon Magistrates' CourtAlnwick Magistrates' CourtAlton Magistrates' CourtAmersham Magistrates' CourtAmmanford Magistrates' CourtAndover Magistrates' CourtAshford County CourtAshford Magistrates' CourtAylesbury Magistrates' and County CourtBalham Youth Court Magistrates'Banbury Magistrates’ and County CourtBarking & Dagenham Magistrates' CourtBarnstaple Magistrates' and County Court (Crown part only)Barry Magistrates' CourtBasildon Acorn House - Basildon TribunalBatley & Dewsbury Magistrates' CourtBicester Magistrates' CourtBingley (Keighley) Magistrates' CourtBirmingham Magistrates' Youth CourtBishop Auckland County CourtBishop Auckland Magistrates' CourtBlackfriars Crown CourtBlandford Forum Magistrates' CourtBlaydon Magistrates' CourtBolton Combined Court Centre (County Part Only)Bournemouth Magistrates' CourtBow County CourtBracknell Magistrates' CourtBrecon Law Courts Magistrates’Brentford Magistrates' CourtBridgend Law Courts Magistrates'Bridgwater Magistrates' CourtBurton Upon Trent County CourtBurton upon Trent Magistrates' CourtBury Magistrates' & County CourtBury St Edmunds Crown & Magistrates' CourtBuxton Magistrates' & County CourtCaerphilly Magistrates' CourtCamberwell Green Magistrates' CourtCamborne Magistrates' CourtCardigan Magistrates' CourtCarmarthen Law Courts (The Guildhall) Magistrates' CourtCheltenham County CourtCheltenham Rivershill House - Cheltenham TribunalChepstow County CourtChepstow Magistrates' CourtChichester Combined CourtChichester Magistrates' CourtChippenham Magistrates' & Civil CourtChorley County CourtChorley Magistrates' CourtCirencester Magistrates' CourtCoalville Magistrates' CourtColchester County CourtColeford Magistrates' CourtConsett County CourtConsett Magistrates' CourtCorby Magistrates' CourtCromer Magistrates' CourtDartford Magistrates' CourtDaventry Magistrates' CourtDenbigh Magistrates' CourtDewsbury County CourtDidcot Magistrates' CourtDolgellau Crown & Magistrates' CourtDorchester Crown Court (Weymouth & Dorchester Combined)Dover Magistrates' CourtEastbourne Magistrates' & County CourtEly Magistrates' CourtEpping Magistrates' CourtEpsom County CourtEpsom Magistrates' CourtEpsom TribunalEvesham County CourtFareham Magistrates' CourtFeltham Magistrates' CourtFleetwood Magistrates' CourtFlint Magistrates' CourtFrome Magistrates' CourtGloucester Magistrates' CourtGoole County CourtGoole Magistrates' CourtGosforth Magistrates' CourtGrantham County CourtGrantham Magistrates' CourtGravesend County CourtGrays Magistrates' CourtGreenwich Magistrates' CourtGuisborough (East Langbaurgh) Magistrates' CourtHalesowen Magistrates' CourtHalifax County CourtHalifax Magistrates' Court (Calderdale)Hammersmith Magistrates' and County Court (County Court Only)Hammersmith Magistrates' CourtHaringey Magistrates' CourtHarlow County CourtHarlow Magistrates' CourtHarrow Magistrates' CourtHartlepool Magistrates' & County CourtHaywards Heath County CourtHemel Hempstead Magistrates' CourtHinckley Magistrates' CourtHitchin County CourtHolyhead Magistrates' CourtHoniton Magistrates' CourtHoughton-Le-Spring Magistrates' CourtHuntingdon County CourtIlford County CourtIlkeston Magistrates' CourtKeighley County CourtKendal Magistrates' & County CourtKettering County CourtKettering Magistrates' CourtKidderminster County CourtKing's Lynn County CourtKingston-upon-Thames Magistrates' CourtKnowsley Magistrates' CourtKnutsford Crown CourtLambeth County CourtLewes Magistrates' CourtLiskeard Magistrates' CourtLlandovery Magistrates' CourtLlangefni Civil and Family CourtLlangefni Magistrates' CourtLlwynypia Magistrates' CourtLowestoft County CourtLowestoft Magistrates' CourtLudlow County CourtLudlow Magistrates' CourtLyndhurst Magistrates' CourtMacclesfield County CourtMacclesfield Magistrates' CourtMaidenhead Magistrates' CourtMarket Drayton Magistrates' CourtMarket Harborough Magistrates' CourtMelton Mowbray County CourtMelton Mowbray Magistrates' CourtMid-Sussex (Haywards Heath) Magistrates' CourtMorpeth & Berwick County CourtNeath and Port Talbot Civil and Family CourtNeath Magistrates' CourtNewark County CourtNewark Magistrates' CourtNewbury County CourtNorth Liverpool Community Justice CentreNorthallerton Magistrates' CourtNorthwich County CourtNorthwich Magistrates' CourtOldham County CourtOldham Magistrates' CourtOrmskirk Magistrates' CourtOswestry County CourtOswestry Magistrates' CourtPenrith County CourtPenrith Magistrates' CourtPenzance County CourtPenzance Magistrates' CourtPocock Street Tribunals Hearing CentrePontefract County CourtPontefract Magistrates' CourtPontypool County CourtPontypridd Magistrates' CourtPoole County CourtPrestatyn Magistrates' CourtPwllheli Magistrates' CourtRawtenstall County CourtRawtenstall Magistrates' CourtRedditch County CourtRedhill Magistrates' & Reigate County CourtRetford Magistrates' CourtRhyl County CourtRichmond upon Thames Magistrates' CourtRochdale Magistrates' CourtRotherham Magistrates' & County CourtRugby County CourtRugby Magistrates' CourtRuncorn (Halton) Magistrates' CourtRuncorn County CourtRutland Magistrates' CourtSalford County CourtSalford Magistrates' Court (FPC)Sandwell Magistrates' CourtScunthorpe Magistrates' & County CourtSelby Magistrates' CourtShrewsbury County CourtShrewsbury Magistrates' CourtSittingbourne Magistrates' CourtSkegness County CourtSkegness Magistrates' CourtSolihull Magistrates' CourtSouthport (North Sefton) Magistrates' CourtSouthport County CourtSpalding Magistrates' CourtSt Albans Crown & County Court (County part only)St Helens Magistrates' CourtStafford Magistrates' CourtStoke on Trent Magistrates' CourtStourbridge County CourtStratford Upon Avon County CourtStroud Magistrates' CourtSudbury Magistrates' CourtSutton Coldfield Magistrates' CourtSutton Magistrates' CourtSwaffham Magistrates' CourtTameside Magistrates' & County Court (County part only)Tamworth County CourtTamworth Magistrates' CourtThetford Magistrates' CourtTorquay Magistrates' CourtTotnes Magistrates' CourtTottenham Magistrates' CourtTowcester Magistrates' CourtTower Bridge Magistrates' CourtTrafford Magistrates' Court & Altrincham County CourtTrowbridge County CourtTunbridge Wells County CourtTynedale (Hexham) Magistrates' CourtWakefield & Pontefract Magistrates' CourtWaltham Forest Magistrates' CourtWandsworth County CourtWantage Magistrates' CourtWarrington Combined Court (County Part Only)Watford Magistrates' CourtWellingborough County CourtWest Berkshire Magistrates' Court (Newbury)West Bromwich Magistrates' CourtWeston Super Mare Magistrates' CourtWhitehaven County CourtWhitehaven Magistrates' CourtWimborne Magistrates' CourtWisbech Magistrates' CourtWitney Magistrates' CourtWoking Magistrates' CourtWoolwich County CourtWoolwich Magistrates' CourtWorksop County CourtWorksop Magistrates' CourtWrexham Rhyd Broughton - Wrexham TribunalYate Magistrates' Court (North Avon) The decision to close any court is not taken lightly, it only happens following full public consultation and only where sufficient capacity existed in other nearby courts to accommodate the work of the closing courts, and where suitable facilities are available. Courts that have closed were either underused, dilapidated or too close to one another.Unsold former court buildings in Chichester, Fleetwood and Telford are being used as temporary Nightingale courts.

Prison Accommodation

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of prison places.

Damian Hinds: We have delivered over 3,100 additional prison places through a combination of refurbishments, temporary accommodation, repurposing the Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre and the new prison HMP Five Wells which opened earlier this year. The new prison HMP Fosse Way is due to open in 2023 and early works are already underway at the new prison next to HMP Full Sutton. Two major refurbishments are underway at HMP Birmingham and HMP Liverpool and a new houseblock at HMP Stocken is under construction.

Offenders: Employment

Matt Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to help offenders find employment following their release from prison.

Damian Hinds: Improving employment outcomes for prison leavers is one way that the Ministry of Justice is supporting businesses by producing the candidates that employers need to fill the nearly 1.25m vacancies in the UK right now. We know, too, that employment reduces the chance of reoffending significantly, by up to nine percentage points, helping to cut crime and give us safer streets.We are offering more offenders the chance to work in prison and on release from custody. This will be supported by our new, dedicated Prison Employment Leads, who are now in post at 80 prisons. They will provide case-level employment support and match prisoners to roles on release, as well as head up new Employment Hubs where prisoners can access support with job applications and CVs.We are also building stronger links with employers, including through our prison Employment Advisory Boards. Chaired by local business leaders, they will provide challenge and advice on how to align the skills delivered in prisons with labour market demand. Chairs have now been appointed to 72 Employment Advisory Boards.

Department for International Trade

Agricultural Products and Food: Trade Barriers

Mr Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent progress her Department has made on tackling barriers to exports by British food and farming businesses.

Nigel Huddleston: Removing barriers boosts exports to familiar markets and unlocks new ones. In the financial year 2021-22, we resolved 192 barriers across 79 countries. This has included opening the markets for UK poultry meat to Japan and UK pork to Mexico and Chile. Most recently, the first export of British lamb was sent to the USA in October, for the first time in over 20 years. Now millions of USA consumers will be able to enjoy British lamb on their dinner plates. Industry estimates the market for lamb to the USA is worth an estimated £37m over the first five years.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Schengen Agreement

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of taking steps to removing the Schengen visa requirement for third country citizens with indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Leo Docherty: Some third country nationals are required to hold a visa when travelling to the Schengen Area and it is for Member States to implement that visa policy. A list of the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area, and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement, is detailed in EU regulations. Third country nationals should look to the country whose nationality they hold to make representation to the EU regarding visa requirements.

China: Taiwan

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of China's policy towards Taiwan; and if he will make a statement.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. China's military exercises in response to the visit of US Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan were de-stabilising, and formed part of a pattern of escalatory Chinese activity, which includes a growing number of military flights near Taiwan. We do not support any activity that risks destabilising the status quo.

Russia: Iran

Sir Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the supply of Iranian weapons to Russia on that country's invasion of Ukraine.

Leo Docherty: The UK condemns Iranian support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Iran's supply of drones is in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Iran is profiting from Russia's attacks on Ukrainian citizens, causing human suffering and the destruction of critical infrastructure. On 20 October, new UK sanctions targeted Iranian individuals and businesses responsible for supplying Russia with drones. On 21 October, jointly with France and Germany, we wrote to the UN Secretary General in support of a UN investigation into the Iranian transfers. We will continue to work with the international community to hold Russia and Iran to account.

Cyprus: Turkey

Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, If he will discuss with his Turkish counterpart the resolution of persons missing following the invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and the role that Turkey could play in providing access to military sites for exhumation and the release of information from military archives.

Leo Docherty: The UK maintains close contact with the Committee on Missing Persons which is mandated to search for, recover, identify and return to their families the remains of Cypriots from both communities. In July, the UK ensured language was included in the renewal of the mandate for the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus calling on all parties to enhance their cooperation with the Committee on Missing Persons, explicitly through providing full access without delay to all areas and responding in a timely manner to requests for archival information on possible burial sites.

India: Dual Nationality

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart about the impact of the Indian constitution's prohibition of dual citizenship on Indians in the UK.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: This is an internal matter for the Government of India. We respect the Indian Government's right to set its migration and citizenship policies, just as we expect the Indian authorities to respect UK Government policy. British nationals who wish to visit India can use the Government of India's regular/paper visa application services for all visa categories.

China: Development Aid

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it is his policy to continue to provide development aid to China.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: The UK Government stopped direct government-to-government bilateral aid to the Chinese Government in 2011. In 2021, the FCDO cut its remaining aid programming to China by 95 per cent to £900,000. Our remaining spend is focused on specific programmes that support British values around open societies and human rights.

Emergencies: Education

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of children absent from school due to emergencies in each of the last twelve months.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Recent estimates show 222 million crisis-affected children are currently not getting the education they need, including almost 80 million children who are not learning at all. Education in times of crisis can be life-saving for children by giving a sense of normality and the protection they need. That is why the UK is proud to be a founding member and a leading donor to both Education Cannot Wait - the global fund for education in emergencies - and the Global Partnership for Education, which helps to build and strengthen education systems in many fragile and conflict-affected states. The UK also supports the Girls' Education Challenge, the largest global fund for girls' education which is supporting 1.5 million of the hardest to reach girls to access education across 17 countries.

Gaza: Israel

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on holding an independent investigation into an airstrike on a three-storey residential building in Gaza on 6 August 2022, and the subsequent (a) deaths of seven people including 13-year-old Mohammad Iyad Hassouna and (b) injury of 35 people including 18 children; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on holding an independent international investigation into the deaths of 17 children killed in Gaza by airstrikes carried out by the Israeli military and misfired rockets by a Palestinian armed group between 5 and 7 August 2022; and if he will make a statement.

David Rutley: We continue to monitor the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza. All countries, including Israel, have a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend their citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and are calibrated to avoid civilian casualties. The UK continues to urge the parties to prioritise progress towards reaching a durable solution for Gaza.

Dirar Riyad Lufti Al-Haj Saleh

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on holding an independent investigation into the use of live ammunition and killing of 16-year-old Dirar Riyad Lufti Al-Haj Saleh on 1 August 2022.

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on holding independent investigations into the use of live ammunition and killing of 16-year-old Hussein Jamal Hussein Taha and 16-year-old Momen Yasin Mohammad Joude Jaber, in two separate incidents in Nablus, on 9 August 2022.

David Rutley: The UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our longstanding concerns about the manner in which the Israel Defence Forces use lethal force, particularly in the policing of non-violent protests and the border areas. We will continue to do so. The UK supports an independent and transparent investigation which establishes the facts about the violence that occurred on 1 and 9 August 2022. The UK continues to monitor progress of ongoing investigations by the Israeli authorities.

Gaza: Israel

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart about children who are documented as dying or otherwise remaining seriously ill due to being repeatedly denied access to lifesaving medical treatment outside of Gaza as a result of the Israeli Government's closure policy; and if he will make a statement.

David Rutley: Access in and out of Gaza, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, remains essential for humanitarian purposes and those, including Palestinians, travelling for medical purposes. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises the importance of regularised access to healthcare with the Israeli authorities. We strongly condemn all forms of violence and incitement to violence directed towards healthcare workers. The wounded and critically ill in Gaza and the West Bank should be able to access the urgent medical care they need.

Israel: Palestinians

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on the (a) beating, arrest and detention of Palestinian minor Shadi Khoury, (b) the conditions experienced by Palestinian minors in Israeli (i) military detention centres and (ii) other forms of custody and (c) compliance by the Israeli Government with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if he will make a statement.

David Rutley: We are actively monitoring Israel's use of administrative detention which, according to international law, should be used only when security makes this absolutely necessary. We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law and either charge or release detainees. We remain committed to working with Israel to secure improvements to the practices surrounding children in detention in Israel. We have made clear our objections about the continued reports of ill-treatment of Palestinian minors in Israeli military detention.

Iraq: Yazidis

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Iraqi counterpart on extending the Yazidi Survivors Law to children born of ISIS sexual violence.

David Rutley: The Yazidi community has suffered immense pain and loss as a result of the abhorrent crimes inflicted by Daesh/ISIS. The UK advocated strongly for the passing of the Yazidi Survivors' Law (YSL) in March 2021 and continues to advocate for and fund the work of the Directorate of Yazidi Affairs, which is responsible for securing reparations and justice for survivors. The British Embassy Baghdad has engaged specifically on extending YSL to children born of ISIS sexual violence, lobbying political parties, religious leaders and government stakeholders on the issue. We are working to ensure that after a new Iraqi government is formed, the High Committee of Community Peace will go ahead with planned dialogue aimed towards addressing this issue.

Argentina: Energy Supply

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Argentine counterpart on the future supply of energy from Argentina to the UK.

David Rutley: Energy and climate issues form an important part of our wider engagement with Argentina. This includes our regular cooperation through the G20. We have worked in our capacity as COP26 President and bilaterally with Argentina to support their transition to clean energy, for example analysis of the opportunities in their renewable energy market, including discussions on green hydrogen. We have also supported Argentina in their quest to join the international lithium value chain through joint work that has contributed to the UK's Critical Minerals Strategy published earlier this year.

Mexico: USA

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what reports he has received on the potential impact of campaigning for the US mid-term elections on US-Mexico relations.

David Rutley: The US mid-term elections take place on 8 November. The UK and US do more together in the world than any other two allies and we look forward to working with the new Congress once sworn-in in January. It is not for the UK Government to comment on the US - Mexico bilateral relationship.

Israel: Politics and Government

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation Israel.

David Rutley: Internal politics are a matter for the Israeli Government. Israel is a close friend and strategic partner, built on decades of cooperation. We look forward to taking this relationship from strength to strength.

Xi Jinping

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports that the President Alberto Fernandez of Argentina congratulated President Xi Jinping of China Xi Jinping on securing a third term as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party describing him as an example for countries around the world.

David Rutley: The UK Government wants a broad, constructive relationship with Argentina, and we hugely value recent cooperation across areas such as health, climate and human rights. China's increasing international assertiveness and the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific will be among the most significant geopolitical and geo-economic shifts in the 2020s. We will require a robust diplomatic framework for this relationship that allows us to manage disagreements, defend our values and preserve space for cooperation where our interests align.

Development Aid

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the extension of the pause on non-essential Official Development Assistance spending, how much and what proportion of aid spending has been paused.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Government remains committed to transparency and will provide updates to Parliament on spending plans in due course. A final estimate of UK Official Development Assistance (ODA), the ODA:Gross National Income (GNI) ratio and more detailed breakdowns of UK ODA is published annually in Statistics on International Development publications (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-on-international-development).

Developing Countries: Education

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to allocate £170 million to the UN Education Cannot Wait fund over the next three years.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government is proud to be a co-founding member and leading donor to Education Cannot Wait (ECW). We are working through options for our future commitment to ECW. The Government remains committed to transparency and will provide an update to Parliament on spending plans in due course.

Development Aid

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of his Department’s policy to freeze non-essential aid spending until 31 October 2022 on (a) tackling food poverty, (b) water sanitation and (c) education for girls.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The FCDO is closely monitoring the risks and impacts of pausing some ODA spend.The FCDO tackles food insecurity and supports food systems through interventions in low-income countries and is prioritising spending that will prevent people falling into humanitarian need when food production drops or food price increase.Improved access to water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is key to the UK's approach to ending the preventable deaths of mothers, children, infants and for pandemic preparedness and response. The UK is prioritising spend on hand hygiene as part of our approach to tackling Covid-19; strengthening the climate resilience of WASH services; and reinforcing accountability for the delivery of WASH services.Girls' education remains a development priority. In FCDO, we are prioritising spend to ensure continued access to primary education for girls, especially the most marginalised and those caught up in crisis situations.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Human Rights

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by Human Rights Watch entitled DR Congo: Army Units Aided Abusive Armed Groups, published on 18 October 2022, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of (a) evidence that the Congolese army provided support to the Democratic Forces for (i) the Liberation of Rwanda militant group and (ii) other militants in battles against the M23 militant group between May and August 2022, (b) the killing of civilians by Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda militants and (c) rape by Congolese army soldiers; and what recent steps he has taken to support justice in relation to (A) these abuses and (B) illicit relationships with militant groups as part of security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK notes the findings of the Human Rights Watch report, published on 18 October 2022. It is one of many assessments that the UK uses to determine and regularly evaluate where and how to respond to the ongoing instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The UK remains committed to supporting efforts to build stability and reduce violence in the country. The UK is working with the DRC Government, the UN Peacekeeping Mission MONUSCO and the region to address the drivers of conflict, demobilise armed groups and support dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms between local communities.

Ministry of Defence

Cabinet Office: Ministerial Responsibility

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what responsibilities his Department has retained for oversight of cross-government work on veterans’ issues following the recent machinery of government changes.

Mr Ben Wallace: The right hon. Johnny Mercer MP was appointed Minister of State for Veterans’ Affairs at the Cabinet Office on 25 October 2022, and will work with the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the Cabinet Office to co-ordinate cross-Government work to support our veterans. The Ministry of Defence retains responsibility for those matters relating to veterans for which the Ministry of Defence is directly responsible for delivering, including Armed Forces pensions, compensation, transition, the Armed Forces Covenant, legacy support, medals, and Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees.

Foreign Policy and Security Council: National Security Council

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he had with the National Security Adviser before the National Security Council was replaced by the Foreign Policy and Security Council.

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of replacing the National Security Council with the Foreign Policy and Security Council.

Mr Ben Wallace: Following a short change of title to Foreign Policy and Security Council, the National Security Council has been re-established and meets regularly.

Telecommunications Cables: Shetland Islands

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support he has provided to local authorities in the Shetland Islands during their investigation into the damage of undersea cables to the Islands.

James Heappey: The recent incident in the Shetland Islands was assessed to have been caused by fishing. Accidental breakage of subsea communications cables is not uncommon, particularly through trawling and other seabed-disturbing activities, and mechanisms to repair them are well tested. Assistance to local authorities from the Ministry of Defence has not been requested.Overall governmental responsibility for subsea power and telecommunications cables lies with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, respectively.

Ukraine: Military Aid

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total value is of the military aid the UK has purchased specifically from the global market to provide directly to Ukraine.

James Heappey: Due to the ongoing nature of the conflict and the Government's continued support for Ukraine, any fidelity around the value of the military aid purchased to provide directly to Ukraine remains operationally sensitive.

Ukraine: Guided Weapons

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his written statement Military Support to Ukraine HCWS259 of 21 July 2022, what anti-tank weapons have been supplied to Ukraine other than NLAW, Javelin and Brimstone missiles.

James Heappey: To date, we have gifted more than 10,000 anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, which have played a key role in enabling the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend their sovereign country against Russian aggression.For reasons of operational security, I will not be providing additional detail.

China: Armed Forces

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 October to Question 66920 on China: Armed Forces, what steps his Department is taking to deter UK pilots from providing training for the Chinese Air Force.

James Heappey: We are taking a range of measures to dissuade current and former UK pilots from being recruited. We also want to ensure that China understands that our previous silence on this matter should not be interpreted as acceptance or approval of this activity.We are issuing threat guidance to personnel at risk of being approached. We are reminding personnel of their obligations to protect sensitive information acquired during their tenure as crown or civil servants; we will be looking at options to tighten the contractual obligations of Service leavers. We are also encouraging the reporting of any recruitment activity targeting pilots or any other specialist area of Defence. The alert has been issued to relevant personnel across Defence, including to partners in Defence industry. We are also actively sharing information with key allies.

Russia: Diplomatic Relations

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to improve the crisis lines of communication between his Department and the Kremlin in order to avoid escalations through misinterpretation, miscalculation and human error.

James Heappey: The UK takes seriously its communication with Russia, to manage miscalculation and conflict escalation. In response to recent activities, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff have spoken with their Russian counterparts. Both conversations were professional and respectful and agreed the importance of continued military-to-military communication for the purpose of avoiding escalation. Furthermore, we are in regular communication with Allies and Partners to ensure a united response to the on-going crisis.

Russia: Military Aircraft

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many instances of Russian jets entering UK airspace without authorisation have occurred each month since 2019.

James Heappey: There have been no unauthorised incursions by Russian military aircraft into UK sovereign airspace.

Russia: Civil Servants

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK officials have been removed from their posts due to close ties to Russia intelligence officials since the start of 2022.

James Heappey: We take the security of Defence extremely seriously and routinely take measures to deter such activity. However we would not comment on specific security measures or incidents. We frequently engage with staff to ensure they are fully aware of the current espionage risk and the threat of prosecution under the Officials Secrets Act.

Veterans: Official Secrets

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will issue guidance to service personnel on discharge concerning their continuing obligations under the Official Secrets Act.

James Heappey: We have procedures that ensure staff are regularly reminded of their obligations while in Service. Personnel are then reminded of their ongoing obligations under the Official Secrets Act upon their departure from Defence. If there is any evidence that personnel breach the Official Secrets Act we would not hesitate to bring criminal charges.

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Navy will extend its role in tackling small boat crossings in the English Channel after January 2023.

James Heappey: Military primacy for managing small boat crossings of the Channel is scheduled to end on 31 January 2023, at which point responsibility will revert to the Home Office and Border Force. Any request to consider extending primacy would need to take into account the operational requirements and funding arrangements.

Defence: Expenditure

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the appointment of a new Chancellor of the Exchequer on 14 October 2022, whether it is the Government’s policy to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030.

Mr Ben Wallace: The Chancellor will set out Government spending plans in the Autumn Statement this month.

HMS Prince of Wales: Repairs and Maintenance

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2022 to Question 58922 on HMS Prince of Wales: Repairs and Maintenance, when he expects those repairs to be complete.

Alex Chalk: Timelines have not yet been determined for repairs to HMS PRINCE OF WALES as investigations to establish the extent of the work required are on-going.

Department for Work and Pensions

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households are subject to the under-occupancy penalty on the basis of under-occupying two bedrooms or more in (a) Newport East constituency and (b) Wales.

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households are subject to the under-occupancy penalty on the basis of under-occupying one bedroom in (a) Newport East constituency and (b) Wales.

Mims Davies: The latest available data on households subject to the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy can be found on Stat-Xplore. The relevant data sets are ‘Housing Benefit - Data from April 2018’ - which can be filtered by ‘Number of Spare Rooms’ and ‘Westminster Parliamentary Constituencies’ - and ‘Households on Universal Credit’ - which can be filtered by ‘Number of Spare Bedrooms’ and ‘Westminster Parliamentary Constituencies’.Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found here.

Universal Credit: City of Durham

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact that the total amount deducted from Universal Credit is having on families living in poverty in City of Durham constituency.

Guy Opperman: No assessment has been made.

Universal Credit: Housing Benefit

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households in (a) Newport East constituency and (b) Wales have four or more children and are in receipt of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.

Guy Opperman: Statistics on both the number of households in receipt of Universal Credit and Housing Benefit are published every three months. The latest statistics are available by the number of children in the household to May 2022, on Stat-Xplore. If needed, you can access guidance on how to extract the information required fromStat-Xplore.

Food Banks

Beth Winter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the number of public sector workers employed by central and local government who have accessed food banks in the last 12 months.

Guy Opperman: The Department for Work and Pensions has made no assessment. Foodbanks are independent, charitable organisations and the Department for Work and Pensions does not have any role in their operation. There is no consistent and accurate measure of foodbank usage at a constituency or national level. Employees are not required to inform their employer of any usage of food banks.

Cost of Living Payments: Pensioners

Amy Callaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of extending the extra cost of living payment for pensioners that receive a winter fuel payment beyond 2023.

Laura Trott: Pensioner households will receive a one-off pensioner Cost-of-Living payment in 2022/23, worth £300. This will be paid in November or December as a top up with the Winter Fuel Payment. Therefore, a household with someone of State Pension age will receive £500 and a household with someone aged 80 or over will receive £600. No decisions have been taken regarding 2023/24.

State Retirement Pensions: Uprating

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it is his policy to restore the triple lock on pensions in (a) 2023-24 and (b) future years.

Laura Trott: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is currently conducting his statutory annual review of State Pension and benefit rates. We cannot pre-empt the outcome of that review, which will be announced in due course. Our priority is to protect the most vulnerable, including those who cannot increase their earnings through work, such as pensioners who are in a unique position

Social Security Benefits: Pensions

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason it is not his policy to allow people who would be entitled to (a) winter fuel support payments and (b) other pension-related benefits but missed the qualifying deadline to claim a pro rata payment.

Laura Trott: The Department pays over 11m Winter Fuel Payments every year. Having a qualifying deadline for Winter Fuel Payments and other pension-related benefits allows the department time to undertake the required checks on entitlement, calculate an individual’s entitlement, issue notifications and commence making payments. There are no plans to introduce pro rata payments.

Universal Credit: Veterans

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 27 September 2022 to Question 47343 on Universal Credit: Veterans, how many Universal Credit claimants have been identified as (a) serving and (b) having previously served in the Armed Forces for the assessment periods ending in August 2022.

Guy Opperman: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Personal Independence Payment: Mental Illness

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many individuals receiving Personal Independence Payments have been identified as having a diagnosable mental health illness.

Tom Pursglove: Only the claimant’s main disabling condition is recorded on the department’s systems. Many people in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have more than one condition.   However, the latest data for PIP cases by main disability condition can be found at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.   Particularly, the ‘PIP Cases with Entitlement’ dataset contains details of claimants receiving PIP and within that, ‘Table 2 – Caseload by Main Disability’ has this data up to July 2022 broken down by disability categories. The disability category ‘Psychiatric Disorders’ includes mental health issues. The full disability hierarchy can be found here: Disability Category / Disability Sub Group (dwp.gov.uk). Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found here:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons an (a) Employment and Support Allowance, (b) Personal Independence Payment and (c) Universal Credit appeal may be lapsed by her Department when a decision is not changed after a mandatory reconsideration.

Tom Pursglove: When preparing an appeal response, the department will review the original decision, considering both evidence previously submitted to DWP and any new evidence submitted by the claimant in support of their appeal. A decision can be revised and the appeal lapsed on any ground which has the effect of changing the decision in the claimant’s favour. The aim of lapsing is to ensure that decisions which should be changed are identified at this stage, so that the claimant does not need to proceed to an appeal hearing. Where the change does not award the claimant the maximum they could be awarded by a tribunal, the appeal will only be lapsed with the claimant’s agreement.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his timescale is for publishing the results of the consultation on the Health and Disability Green Paper.

Tom Pursglove: We published Shaping future support: The Health and Disability Green Paper last year. This asked for views on ways we can improve the experience people have of our benefits system and set out ways we could make our services easier to access, make our processes simpler and help build people’s trust. We received over 4,500 responses to the Health and Disability Green Paper consultation and are very grateful to all the individuals and organisations who contributed. We will respond with a White Paper in the coming months.

Employment: Disability

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of compliance with the duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people under the Equality Act 2010.

Tom Pursglove: The department is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. This means we need to take steps to ensure that our customers have access to reasonable adjustments, and we often provide additional support to enable them to access benefits and our services. We regularly hold discussions of this kind with stakeholders and statutory bodies in order to improve our services. The department has in place a wide range of reasonable adjustments for customers, including:Email as a reasonable adjustment;Face-to-face British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation;A visiting service for vulnerable customers who are unable to use our other contact routes;Support for our staff including instructions, guides and awareness raising on reasonable adjustments;Video Relay Service which enables customers to communicate in real time with DWP via a BSL interpreter using a video connection on an electronic device. There’s no need to be in the same location or for the customer to make an appointment;A flexible approach to mandatory face-to-face interviews within a Jobcentre;15 Autism accredited Jobcentres;Public Sector Equality training rolled out.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to improve the quality of health assessments made by private health assessment companies.

Tom Pursglove: Assessment quality is a priority for both the department and the assessment providers. We work continuously with providers to drive improvements in assessment quality through a range of measures, including audit procedures, clinical observations (Personal Independence Payment only), clinical coaching, tailored training and development plans, and providing feedback and support to health professionals. Quality performance is also regularly reviewed through DWP and provider senior governance meetings at a national level, and in each of the provider areas. Providers share training materials between themselves to encourage best practice, standardise processes and improve the claimant experience. They also regularly engage with medical experts, charities, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen, maintain, and update their training programmes.   The department is currently developing a Health and Disability White Paper, which will include health and disability benefit reform proposals, and improvements to the customer journey, enabling people to live independently and move into work where possible.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will introduce an additional allowance for disabled people over this winter to support heating costs and to prevent a deterioration in their health.

Tom Pursglove: The Government understands the pressures people, including disabled people, are facing with the cost of living and has taken further, decisive action to support people with their energy bills. The Energy Price Guarantee is supporting millions of households with rising energy costs, and the Chancellor made clear it will continue to do so from now until April next year. This is in addition to the over £37bn of cost of living support announced earlier this year, which includes:the £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme;a Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 to six million people in recognition of the extra costs they face, including with energy costs;up to £650 in Cost of Living Payments for the eight million households in receipt of a means-tested benefit;a one-off payment of £300 through, and as an addition to, the Winter Fuel Payment from November to pensioner households.

Motability

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2022 to Question 69539, what the approximate annual cost of providing each Motability Scheme lease agreement vehicle was in 2021.

Tom Pursglove: Whilst the department works closely with Motability and is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability scheme, Motability is an independent charitable organisation that is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the scheme, along with oversight of Motability operations. Any questions relating to the terms and conditions of a lease should be directed to Motability.

Jobcentres

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the National Audit Office's Department for Work & Pensions Departmental Overview 2021-22, what assessment she has made of the impact of her Department's plans to reduce its jobcentre estate back down to pre‑pandemic levels on the level and rate of employment.

Tom Pursglove: During the pandemic, and in direct response to the pressures placed on the labour market, the department opened new, temporary, Jobcentre sites to supplement the existing Jobcentre network. As the economy recovers, the department is reviewing and looking to close these temporary Jobcentres to ensure it balances providing essential services and employment support for our customers, with value for money for the taxpayer. If any of the new sites offer better, more suitable, accommodation than our existing offices, the department may look to retain them.

Jobcentres

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the National Audit Office's Department for Work & Pensions Departmental Overview 2021-22, what assessment she has made of the impact of her Department's plans to reduce its jobcentre estate back down to pre‑pandemic levels on the quality of employment support delivered to claimants.

Tom Pursglove: During the pandemic, and in direct response to the pressures placed on the labour market, the department opened new, temporary, Jobcentre sites to supplement the existing Jobcentre network. As the economy recovers, the department is reviewing and looking to close these temporary Jobcentres to ensure it balances providing essential services and employment support for our customers, with value for money for the taxpayer. If any of the new sites offer better, more suitable, accommodation than our existing offices, the department may look to retain them. The department is committed to delivering a quality service to ensure all claimants receive the best possible support to meet their individual circumstances and its service delivery framework sets out the expectations for the Jobcentre network, and the requirements for how services are delivered – helping claimants move into, or closer, to work.

Carer's Allowance

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing a top-up payment to unpaid carers who are in receipt of Carer's Allowance, reflecting the supplementary and one-off payments received by unpaid carers in Scotland and Wales.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the cost of providing a one-off top-up payment of £500 to unpaid carers, who are in receipt of Carer's Allowance, to support them through the cost-of-living crisis.

Tom Pursglove: Carer’s Allowance is a devolved benefit under the Scotland Act 2016. The Scottish Government pays a Supplement to all its recipients, regardless of their means. The payment made by the Welsh Government was part of the discretionary local welfare support offered under the Government of Wales Act 2006. It, similarly, was made regardless of means. The UK Government takes a different approach and directs more of its financial support across Great Britain towards unpaid carers on the lowest incomes. For example, unpaid carers in receipt of Universal Credit can receive an additional £2,000 a year through the Carer Element, helping ensure this support goes to those most in need. The UK Government has therefore made no assessment relating to a top up payment to all recipients of Carer’s Allowance regardless of their means.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Mohammad Yasin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) mean, (b) median, (c) longest and (d) shortest wait time was for processing mandatory reconsiderations of benefits decisions in the latest period for which data is available.

Tom Pursglove: The lower quartile, median, mean and upper quartile waiting times for processing mandatory reconsiderations for PIP, UC and ESA benefit decisions are below. To provide information across all other DWP administered benefits would incur disproportionate cost. Note that information about the extremes of a distribution (e.g. the maximum clearance time) risks being disclosive. We would not release this information publicly. Therefore, we have presented information on the lower quartile, median, mean and upper quartile of clearance times. Please note, the mean can be unduly affected by outlying cases. As such, the median is our preferred central measure for MR clearance times.  Table 1: PIP MR clearance times (calendar days), Normal Rules, from August 2021 to July 2022 Year Lower QuartileMedianMeanUpper QuartileAugust 2021 – July 202238575570 Notes:Each PIP claim can have more than one reconsideration registered against it. The above includes all MR decisions (excluding withdrawn and cancelled).The PIP MR clearance times are based on the clearance times from the point of registration to the date the MR was cleared.DWP offers particular support for those coming to the end of their life, known as Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). This was formerly called Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI). Cases which are not processed under SREL are referred to as ‘normal rules’ claims. The status of claims as 'normal rules' or 'SREL' is shown as at the point of registration. Table 2: UC MR clearance times (calendar days) from October 2021 to September 2022 Year Lower QuartileMedianMeanUpper QuartileOctober 2021 to September 2022235167100Notes:Each UC claim can have more than one reconsideration registered against it. The above includes all MR decisions (excluding withdrawn and cancelled).The UC MR clearance times are based on the clearance times from the point of registration to the date the MR was cleared.This data on UC MR clearance times is unpublished data. It should be used with caution and it may be subject to future revision. Table 3: ESA WCA MR clearance times (calendar days) from August 2021 to July 2022 Year Lower QuartileMedianMeanUpper QuartileAugust 2021 to July 20225101314Notes:1. ESA MR clearance times are based on the date when the Benefit Centre has decided that the MR received is a valid MR, having considered whether they can initially change the decision in the light of any new information to the date when the decision maker at the Dispute Resolution Team (DRT) has cleared and logged the final decision.  NotesFigures are for Great Britain only.Definition of Mandatory Reconsideration: Claimants who wish to dispute a decision made on their PIP claim are required to ask the Department to reconsider the decision, before they can lodge an appeal with Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service. MRs can arise for various reasons, such as omitting to tell DWP about relevant evidence during the initial decision-making process; this could include not returning forms required as part of the claim.Definition of Lower Quartile: The lower quartile is the value for which 25% of all clearance times fall below if you were to order the distribution from lowest value to highest value.Definition of median: The median time is the middle value if you were to order all the times within the distribution from lowest value to highest value.Definition of mean: The mean time is the value if you were to sum all the clearance times together and divide that by the number of cases. Please note, the mean can be unduly affected by outlying cases.Definition of Upper Quartile: The upper quartile is the value for which 75% of all clearance times fall below if you were to order the distribution from lowest value to highest value.

Food Poverty: Young People

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available to young people who are not able to afford food during the period of increases to the cost of living.

Mims Davies: With 1.25 million vacancies across the UK, Government’s focus is firmly on supporting people, including young people, into and to progress in work. Our approach is based on clear evidence about the importance of employment, particularly where it is full-time, in substantially reducing the risks of poverty. Employment support is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland. The government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and has taken further decisive action to help. The Energy Price Guarantee is supporting millions of households – including young people - with rising energy costs, and the Chancellor made clear it will continue to do so from now until April next year.  The Northern Ireland Energy Price Guarantee will provide households in Northern Ireland with equivalent financial support with their electricity and gas bills as for those in Great Britain beginning 1st November 2022 and backdated to 1st October 2022. This is in addition to the over £37bn of cost of living support announced earlier in the year, which includes Cost of Living Payments of £650 (paid in two lump sums of £326 and £324) to more than 8 million low-income households on means-tested benefits and £150 to individuals receiving disability benefits – including young people who are in receipt of eligible benefits. These payments are delivered UK-wide. We recognise that some people may need further support, which is why the government has provided an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021. Of the £500m, the NI Executive is receiving £14m.

Social Security Benefits: Veterans

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps they are taking to ensure the benefits system does not penalise the entitlements of veterans also claiming a Military Pension or War Disability Pension.

Mims Davies: There are a number of different types of pensions that veterans may be able to receive depending on their personal circumstances (their age, their health and when they left the services etc). How these are treated in the benefit system will depend on the type of pension being paid and the DWP benefit they are in receipt of. DWP is committed to the Armed Forces Covenant which ensures that veterans are not subject to any disadvantage as a result of their service.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Droughts

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether (a) he and (b) his predecessors have had discussions with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on civil contingency planning for drought since January 2022; and if he will publish the minutes of those meetings.

Trudy Harrison: Defra and the Cabinet Office maintain regular contact at an official level to discuss a range of risks and issues, including those relating to dry weather and drought. Cabinet Office are also regular attendees of the National Drought Group, which have been taking place on a monthly basis. I do not have details of any meetings taking place specifically between my predecessors and the minister for the Cabinet Office.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Taxis

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much his Department spent on taxi cabs for (a) ministers and (b) civil servants in each of the last three years.

Mark Spencer: The following table sets out expenditure on taxis in each of the given years. A split by ministers and civil servants could not be obtained on this occasion without incurring disproportionate costs. YearTaxi Spend (£)201946,66820209,722202120,317

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Public Expenditure

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding (a) his Department allocated to and (b) was spent by the (i) Sustainable Farming Incentive, (ii) Farming Investment Fund, (iii) Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, (iv) Improve Farm Productivity fund, (v) Farming Transformation Fund and (vi) Farming Innovation Programme in each year since 2010; and how much funding his Department has allocated to each project in each of the next five years.

Mark Spencer: Actual spend is in the table below for previous and current years. In relation to future years, we set out in the update on the Agricultural Transition Plan last June[1] our high-level plans to spend the money freed up from Direct Payments. We will not have fixed allocations (or ‘pillars’, as they were known whilst we were in the EU) of money ring fenced to different schemes. Instead, we will learn as we go and find the best ways to manage the overall Future Farming and Countryside Programme [FFCP] budget to respond to demand in a way that helps us achieve our intended outcomes. This means we will keep the allocation of funding between different schemes under review over time.  20/2121/2222/23 SpendSpendSpend to 30/9/22Sustainable Farming Incentive0 3 1 Farming Investment Fund0 2 19 Farming Innovation Programme0 0 0 Improve Farm Productivity0 3 0 [1]https: //www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-transition-plan-june-2021-progress-update/agricultural-transition-plan-june-2021-progress-update

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Public Expenditure

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the impact on his Department's policies of cuts to their budget of (a) 10 (b) 15 and (c) 20 per cent.

Mark Spencer: The department has not assessed the impacts of budget cuts of (a) 10 (b) 15 and (c) 20 per cent.

Home Office

Fisheries: Migrant Workers

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate she has made of the average (a) delay and (b) cost to domestic fishing companies of the Skilled Worker visa's (i) English language requirements and (ii) requirement for applicants to apply from abroad.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Fisheries: Migrant Workers

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of the requirement for those on transit visas to leave the UK before applying for a Skilled Worker Visa on the hire of foreign nationals as fishing crew members.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Child Sexual Abuse Independent Panel Inquiry

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he will take to ensure there is an effective cross-departmental governance process to implement the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, published 20 October 2022.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to ensure that survivors of child sexual exploitation are involved in the implementation of the recommendations in the the Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, published 20 October 2022.

Chris Philp: The Government is truly grateful to victims and survivors who bravely came forward to share their perspectives and experiences with the Inquiry. Their testimony has helped to shed further light on the horrific sexual abuse suffered by children, and the extent to which children across England and Wales have been failed by institutions that should have protected them.Insight from victims and survivors will continue to be invaluable in doubling down on our efforts to tackle this terrible crime, as well as making sure appropriate support is in place to help victims and survivors rebuild their lives.The Government is committed to engaging with victims and survivors, as well as a wide range of partners including children’s charities, frontline professionals, law enforcement, and local authorities to ensure that the voices of victims and survivors are kept at the heart of our work to keep children safe from child sexual exploitation and abuse, online and in communities across the UK and around the world.We owe it to the victims and survivors to give the Inquiry’s recommendations proper time, consideration, and attention, so the Government will now carefully consider all of the findings and recommendations, before responding fully within the Inquiry’s six-month timeframe.We will work across Government at every level to address the issues raised by the Inquiry. The Home Secretary has already committed to convening ministers across Whitehall to drive forward progress. This is in addition to the existing cross-departmental Governance that is already in place under the Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, which also monitors the implementation of recommendations made by the Inquiry.Where we can act more quickly, we will. We will keep learning from past systemic failings and will take every possible step to ensure other children, young people and victims and survivors are not let down in the future.

Fisheries: Migrant Workers

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the suitability of the English language requirements of the Skilled Worker visa for workers who apply in order to work as members of fishing crews in the UK.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Vetting

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to tackle backlogs in DBS checks.

Chris Philp: The DBS issues four levels of certificates of criminal records, known as DBS certificates and operates a system of updating certificates through its Update Service.Basic DBS checkA Basic DBS check is available for any position or purpose. A Basic certificate will contain details of convictions and conditional cautions that are considered to be unspent. DBS operates to service standards of completing 80% of Basic check applications within 2 days.Standard DBS checkStandard DBS certificates show relevant convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer (PNC), subject to filtering rules. DBS operates to service standards of completing 80% of Standard check applications within 5 days.Enhanced DBS checkAn Enhanced DBS check is available to anyone involved in work with vulnerable groups, and other positions involving a high degree of trust. Enhanced certificates contain the same information as a Standard certificate, with the addition of relevant local police force information. DBS operates to service standards of completing 80% of Enhanced check applications within 14 days.Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS checkAn Enhanced with Barred List(s) DBS certificate will contain the same information as an Enhanced DBS certificate but includes details of whether the individual is included on one or both of the Barred Lists. These lists include individuals barred from working with children and vulnerable groups where the role is in regulated activity.There are currently no delays in DBS processing times and performance against these targets is strong. The average processing time in September for all Basic applications was 0.9 days; for all Standard applications was 1.6 days; and for all enhanced applications was 10.4 days.

Nitrous Oxide: Misuse

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to help reduce the use of nitrous oxide.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the prevalence of the use of nitrous oxide in (a) York and (b) North Yorkshire.

Chris Philp: The Government takes the supply of substances for their psychoactive effect seriously. There are legitimate uses for nitrous oxide, such as in medicine, dentistry and as a propellant for whipped cream canisters, but those who supply nitrous oxide who know, or who are reckless as to whether, it will be used for its psychoactive effect may be subject to a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.The Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 introduced powers, such as Public Space Protection Orders, which the police and local councils can use to prevent people from taking intoxicating substances, including psychoactive substances such as nitrous oxide, in specified areas.On 3 September 2021, the Government asked the independent statutory advisory body, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, to provide an updated assessment of the harms of nitrous oxide, including whether it should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The ACMD is independent of Government and may provide a broad range of recommendations, including advice on legislative changes. When the ACMD concludes its review and publishes any recommendations, the Government will consider the advice carefully before deciding how to proceed.The most reliable current source for prevalence of drug use is Crime Survey in England and Wales (CSEW). The Office for National Statistics publishes CSEW estimates for use of illicit drugs and psychoactive substances, including nitrous oxide. However, there are no available regional estimates for nitrous oxide due to small survey samples.The latest estimates for drug misuse are for year ending March 2020 available at:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/drugmisuseinenglandandwalesappendixtable.

Prostitution: Internet

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to stop commercial websites partly or wholly dedicated to advertising prostitution from facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation and other sexual offences.

Chris Philp: Tackling modern slavery, including online sexual exploitation remains a top priority for this Government, and we are committed to stamping out this abhorrent crime. Since its introduction, the Modern Slavery Act 2015, has given law enforcement agencies the tools to tackle modern slavery, with maximum life sentences for perpetrators and enhanced protection for victims, including children.We know that traffickers may use adult services websites (ASW) to advertise victims of modern slavery for sexual exploitation and that is why we are working closely with law enforcement partners and online companies to ensure they live up to their responsibilities of preventing their services from being used for criminal activity. Through Project AIDANT, the series of National Crime Agency-led operational intensifications, operational activity to target exploitation associated with ASWs has increased.Furthermore, under the Online Safety Bill, all in scope companies will need to take action to prevent the use of their services for criminal activity. Illegal content will need to be removed expeditiously and the risk of it appearing and spreading across their services will need to be minimised by effective systems. For priority categories set out in legislation, companies will need to take particularly robust action. This includes sexual exploitation offences contained in the Sexual Offences Act (2003). For these offences, companies will need to consider the necessary systems and processes to identify, assess and address these offences based on a risk assessment. This might mean more resource for content moderation or limiting algorithmic promotion of content.The Home Office is also providing £1.36m over the next 3 years to ‘Changing Lives’ for their Net-Reach project, which will tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) online, providing early intervention and targeted support for women and girls at high-risk of commercial online exploitation and the risk on online sexual harm.

Fisheries: Migrant Workers

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of the English language requirements of the Skilled Worker visa on the hire foreign nationals as fishing crew members.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Police: Mental Health Services

Dr Neil Hudson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to support current and former police officers with their mental health.

Chris Philp: The Government and police leaders recognise that policing by its very nature is challenging for the mental health and wellbeing of the workforce and we are doing all we can to support our police. This includes providing ongoing funding to the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS) in England and Wales. The NPWS is helping forces to identify the impacts of the role on mental health, developing work around building resilience, as well as supporting those who need it in response to traumatic events.On 28 April, the Police Covenant for England Wales was enshrined in law as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. The Covenant will focus on health and wellbeing, physical protection and support for families, with a real emphasis on mental health support. This applies to current and former members of the police workforce. The first annual report on the covenant, outlining work undertaken on the key priorities, is expected to be laid before Parliament in Spring 2023. We have already ensured pre-deployment mental health support is embedded across all training providers as well as the inclusion of wellbeing in HMICFRS Peel inspections and the appointment of a new Chief Medical Officer for policing in England and Wales.

Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to amend the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 so that it considers animals recognised as sentient in the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022.

Chris Philp: The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act recognises cephalopods and decapods as sentient. The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) was amended in 2013 to include cephalopods for protections to animals in scientific research. The Government has previously indicated that it will consider the implications of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act for ASPA to improve the welfare of animals used in science and maintain a regime of protection that enables the delivery of benefits.

Home Office: Vivastreet

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 20 November 2018 to Question 190478 on Home Office: Vivastreet, how many times (a) officials and (b) Ministers from her Department met representatives of the website company Vivastreet, (i) online or (ii) in person in each calendar year since 2017.

Chris Philp: The Home Office and law enforcement partners, including the National Crime Agency maintains a close and collaborative working relationship with Vivastreet to identify and put in place initiatives to remove content and prevent and disrupt sexual exploitation on their website. Since 2017, Home Office officials have met with representatives of Vivastreet, online and in person, on the following occasions during each calendar year: YearMeetings201702018420191202012021320226Total15 Home Office Ministers have not met with representatives from Vivastreet.

Members' Constituency Work: Harrow West

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason the case of the hon. Member for Harrow West's constituent, reference: MPAM/0293091/22, which surpassed the 12-week expectation for a decision in August 2022, has yet to be determined; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

General Practitioners: Migrant Workers

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to provide International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with eligibility to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK on successful completion of GP specialty training; what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the number of IMGs who leave the UK after receiving training paid for by the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Visas: Overseas Students

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the graduate visa route, introduced in 2021, remains his Department's policy objective.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Visas: Overseas Students

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of capping the number of graduate visas on the UK’s economy.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Students

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Higher Education Policy Institute's (HEPI) 2022 soft-power index, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of restricting the number of international students to the UK's universities on the UK's soft power.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Visas: Overseas Students

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of capping the number of graduate visas on the UK’s economy.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Visas: Overseas Students

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the graduate visa route, introduced in 2021, remains his Department's policy objective.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Students

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential (a) loss of tuition fee income, (b) loss of living cost expenditure, (c) loss of knock-on expenditure and (d) total economic cost of restricting the number of international students and their dependents to the UK's university sector.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Students: Children

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of introducing a cap on the number of children that international students can bring to the UK on (a) the number of international students studying in the UK, (b) the potential economic cost to the UK and (c) women.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Students

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department plans to restrict the number of international students who can study at UK universities.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Visas: Overseas Students

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many recipients of graduate student visas have been accompanied by five or six dependents to date.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Students: Children

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what overall assessment he has made of the potential impact of introducing a cap on the number of children international students can bring to the UK.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Students: Children

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of introducing a cap on the number of children international students can bring to the UK on (a) the total number of, (b) the number of female and (c) the number of male international students studying in the UK.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will reply to the letters of 18 August and 20 September 2022 from the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare on behalf of a constituent about Ukrainian visas.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Students: Children

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of introducing a cap on the number of children that international students can bring to the UK on (a) the number of international students studying in the UK, (b) the potential economic cost to the UK and (c) women.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Visas: Overseas Students

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the graduate visa route, introduced in 2021, remains his Department's policy; and what his future plans are for that policy.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Overseas Students

Kim Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential (a) loss of tuition fee income, (b) loss of living cost expenditure, (c) loss of knock-on expenditure and (d) total economic cost of restricting the number of international students and their dependents to the UK's university sector.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 10 August  2022 from the Rt hon. Member for East Ham, case reference ST99653.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 10 August 2022 from the Rt hon. Member for East Ham, case reference ST97577.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to reply to correspondence of 4 October from the Rt Hon. Member for East Ham, case reference ST95703.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department intends to reply to correspondence of 7 September from the Rt Hon. Member for East Ham, case reference ST10011.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 13 September 2022 from the Rt Hon. Member for East Ham, case reference ST100013.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Immigration: Hong Kong

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many BNO Visa holders from Hong Kong live in each London borough.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Afghan refugees are awaiting housing resettlement following their entry into the UK through Government schemes.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Detention Centres: Manston

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the maximum amount of time an individual can legally be detained at the Manston immigration facility.

Robert Jenrick: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Local Government Finance: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will extend the deadline of 30 September 2022 for the submission of an application by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council for a capitalisation direction for financial year 2022-23; and if he will require an external assurance review of that Council's finances and governance arrangements.

Lee Rowley: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Local Government Finance

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of local funding formulas in determining the level of local service provision for (a) police, (b) adult social care, (c) public health and (d) other local government services.

Lee Rowley: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Local Government Finance: Equality

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the local government funding formula at addressing inequalities.

Lee Rowley: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of amending the monthly £350 thank you payments under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to account for the needs of sponsors hosting larger numbers of Ukrainian refugees.

Felicity Buchan: We recognise the growing pressure on family finances, and are continuing to work with local councils and sponsors to support them with their hosting arrangements.

Homes for Ukraine Scheme: Greater London

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent estimate he has made of the number of Ukrainians housed under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme in each London borough.

Felicity Buchan: The most up to date data on arrivals through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme can be accessed here .

Estate Agents: Fees and Charges

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a ban on estate agents charging fees to prospective tenants to view properties.

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the practice of letting agencies using fixed-cost tenant fees to cover the costs of conducting viewings, negotiating a tenancy, verifying references, undertaking right to rent checks and drawing up contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Felicity Buchan: Under the Tenant Fees Act, landlords and letting agents are already not permitted to charge prospective tenants for viewings, negotiations, referencing, right to rent checks, or contract drafting. A refundable holding deposit may be requested to reserve a property whilst reference checks and preparation for a tenancy agreement are undertaken. This is capped at one week's rent. A landlord or agent should stop advertising a property after a holding deposit has been received. Landlords and agents are prohibited from holding multiple deposits.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Civil Service: Ministerial Responsibility

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether any (a) ministerial responsibilities and (b) civil service units have been transferred to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities since the appointment of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations on 25 October 2022.

Felicity Buchan: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the oral answer given by my Hon Friend, the Member for Bassetlaw (Official Report, 27 October 2022, Vol 721, c.383 ).

Council Housing

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what effect sleeping in a car has on prioritisation in homelessness policy for housing from a local authority.

Felicity Buchan: If a person is sleeping in a typical car, and has no other accommodation available, they will be homeless and entitled to homeless assistance from the local authority.

Electoral Commission

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether it is his Department's policy that the Policy and Strategy Statement to the Electoral Commission should instruct the Commission.

Felicity Buchan: The Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission will set out guidance and principles to which the Electoral Commission must have regard in the discharge of its functions.The duty to have regard to the Statement will not replace or undermine the Commission's other statutory duties or give the Government powers to direct the Commission's decision making. The Commission will remain operationally independent and governed by its Commissioners.The Government has consistently set out on the record, that the Statement is a necessary and proportionate approach to reforming the accountability of the Electoral Commission to the UK Parliament whilst respecting its operational independence.I also refer the hon. Member to the draft statement published for consultation on 22 August, which illustrates how the Statement will improve accountability of the Electoral Commission and help protect the integrity of our democracy.

Social Rented Housing: Safety

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to help ensure that (a) women and (b) people with protected characteristics are placed in social housing accommodation that adequately meets their safety needs.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential merits for women's safety in residential settings of introducing a social housing scheme for women.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to help ensure that vulnerable women are housed in safe accommodation; and if he will make it his policy that vulnerable women cannot be housed in shared residential settings (a) with men only and (b) in mixed gender settings if it is against the preferences of those women.

Felicity Buchan: Under the Equality Act 2010, public authorities, including local authorities, must, in the exercise of their functions, have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010 because of someone’s protected characteristic(s).Local authorities are responsible for allocating social housing. By law, certain people must be given priority. This includes women (or men) who need to move to escape violence.  Statutory guidance issued in 2012 also makes clear that housing providers should consider giving high priority to people who require urgent re-housing as a result of threats of violence.The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 included new duties for local authorities in England to provide support for victims of domestic abuse within safe accommodation. Alongside the formal commencement of the new duties in October 2021, we published Statutory Guidance and Regulation which make clear that mixed shared housing cannot be used as safe accommodation for domestic abuse victims under these duties.

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his plans are for refugees currently being hosted under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme who have been living with their hosts for more than six months, whose hosts wish to withdraw from the scheme.

Felicity Buchan: We would like as many sponsors as possible to extend their sponsorship beyond six-months, but we understand not all sponsors will want to or will be able to, so we are providing guidance for those who cannot continue sponsoring.The guidance sets out a range of options available to Ukrainians and their hosts which are:Staying with the same host for an extended period beyond the six-months by mutual agreement.Finding a different host if the Ukrainian guest is unable to move into their own accommodation post the six-months sponsorship period.Getting support from the local council to find another host.Renting private accommodation and support available for this.Moving into a different area of the UK.If none of the above is feasible, guests can contact their local councils for support.For further information, please see Homes for Ukraine guidance, which can be accessed here.

Levelling Up Fund

Andrew Lewer: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether it remains his Department's policy to award funding to Levelling Up Fund Round 2 applications; and when an announcement on those awards will be made.

Dehenna Davison: All bids to the second round of the Levelling Up Fund are currently being assessed in line with our published guidance. The outcome of the second round bidding process will be announced in due course.

Help to Buy Scheme

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will increase the bonuses available to first time buyers under the Help to Buy scheme.

Lucy Frazer: Since April 2021, eligibility for the Help to buy Equity Loan scheme is for first time buyers only. Any changes to the scheme will be announced in the usual way.

Social Rented Housing: Somerset

David Warburton: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to improve social housing stock in Somerset.

Lucy Frazer: The Government is implementing an ambitious programme of work, including the Social Housing Regulation Bill to improve the quality and regulation of social housing. This legislation aims to change landlord behaviour to focus on the needs of social housing tenants and ensure landlords are held to account for their performanceThe Government has made funding available for social housing providers and local authorities to make energy efficiency upgrades, including for social housing through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Somerset West and Taunton District Council are partners to a project that has received funding.

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Correspondence and Written Questions

Jessica Morden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps their Department is taking to reduce the time taken to respond to (a) written parliamentary questions and (b) correspondence from Members of Parliament.

Jeremy Quin: All departments have access to regular training led by the Parliamentary Capability Team through the Government Campus.The Cabinet Office attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and correspondence, and officials remain committed to providing the highest level of service. To complement the work of the Parliamentary Capability Team, the Cabinet Office also runs tailored training sessions for Cabinet Office staff specific to PQs and Correspondence to drive up the quality and timeliness of our responses. These sessions have been delivered 3 times since July.Between the period of May to July inclusive, the Cabinet Office consistently answered over 90% of PQs on time each month, and an average of 86% of all ministerial correspondence on time over those 3 months.

Cleaning Services

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Minister of the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of recognising people who work in the cleaning and hygiene sector as key workers.

Jeremy Quin: While a list of key workers was used previously in the Covid-19 response, the Cabinet Office does not keep a current list of key workers.When responding to any future emergency, the Government will continue to consider, on a case by case basis, the merits of renewing key worker designation, and its scope.

Equal Pay

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the availability of ONS data relating to pay gaps, including reference tables produced on an annual basis showing the (a) median hourly pay and (b) percentage difference between hourly earnings by (i) gender, (ii) ethnicity and (iii) age.

Jeremy Quin: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Question of 11 October is attached. UKSA response to PQ61319 (pdf, 125.0KB)

Senior Civil Servants: Offices

Florence Eshalomi: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of Senior Civil Servants are based outside London.

Jeremy Quin: As at June 2022, the percentage of Senior Civil Servants (SCS) based outside London is 35.7% on headcount basis and 36.0% on a full-time equivalent basis (FTE). SCS working overseas and in the devolved administrations have been included in this calculation. This data is provisional and subject to routine revisions over time.

10 Downing Street: Costs

Matt Western: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there was a cost to the public purse of new (a) furniture and (b) furnishings for the former Prime Minister from 6 September 2022 to 25 October 2022.

Jeremy Quin: Details of expenditure on the Downing Street estate, including spending under the annual allowance for the official residence, will be published in the Cabinet Office’s annual report and audited accounts in due course.

Cabinet Office: Veterans

Angela Rayner: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what (a) ministerial responsibilities and (b) civil service units have transferred to his Department following the appointment of the Minister of State for Veterans Affairs.

Jeremy Quin: A revised List of Ministerial Responsibilities will be published in due course. In the meantime, departments are updating their ministers' pages on GOV.UK which also includes portfolio information.The Office for Veterans’ Affairs has remained within the Cabinet Office since its establishment in 2019.

Cabinet Office: EU Law

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department spent on (a) staff activity related to the review of retained EU law, (b) IT costs related to the maintenance of the retained EU law database and (c) staff activity related to the passage of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill in (i) the 2021-22 financial year, and (ii) the 2022-23 financial year as of 30 September 2022.

Jeremy Quin: Information on the staff activity related to the review of retained EU law or the passage of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill in financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23 is not held centrally.The Retained EU law dashboard was made and has been maintained by the Government Strategic Management Office and is hosted on Tableau Public, which is a free platform for hosting public dashboards.

Equal Pay: Females

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that statistics with sufficient sample sizes on the pay gap for women by ethnicity are published on an annual basis; and what steps he will take to ensure those statistics are used to aid understanding of pay discrepancies and inform government action.

Jeremy Quin: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Question of 11 October is attached.  Pay Gap for Women by Ethnicity (pdf, 116.2KB)

Domestic Abuse: Children

Jim Shannon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the number of children who were victims of domestic violence in the UK in the last 12 months.

Jeremy Quin: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Question of 24 October is attached.  Domestic Violence (pdf, 119.3KB)

Treasury

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the costs incurred by HMRC in relation to preparations for the introduction of the Coronavirus Job Retention Bonus scheme, in the period from the announcement of the scheme on 8 July 2020 to the announcement that the scheme would not proceed on 5 November 2020; and whether these costs have been treated for accounting purposes as a constructive loss.

Victoria Atkins: The expenditure incurred by HMRC in the development of the Coronavirus Job Retention Bonus Scheme were around £500,000. The majority of these costs related to the normal policy development process. The costs were not disclosed as a constructive loss in the HMRC Annual Report and Accounts for 2020 to 2021, in line with HM Treasury guidance.

Energy: Taxation

Claire Hanna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the $9.5 billion quarter three profits reported by Shell and reported comments from that company’s CEO that it is ready for further windfall taxation, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits increasing the Energy Profits Levy.

Victoria Atkins: The Energy Profits Levy (EPL) was introduced from 26 May in response to sharp increases in oil and gas prices over the past year and to help fund cost of living support for UK households. The EPL is an additional 25 per cent surcharge on UK oil and gas profits, taking the combined headline tax rate for oil and gas companies operating in the UK and on the UK Continental Shelf to 65 per cent, more than triple the rate paid by other businesses.As with all taxes, this is kept under review. It would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on the affairs of individual taxpayers.

Health and Social Care Levy and National Insurance Contributions

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March 2022 to Question 134097 on Health and Social Care Levy and National Insurance Contributions, what recent estimate he has made of the cost to HMRC of (a) the introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy from April 2023, (b) the transitional increase to the main and additional rates of National Insurance contributions in 2022-23, (c) the reversal of that transitional increase and (d) the cancellation of the Levy arising from (i) changes to HMRC’s IT systems and (ii) extra staff to support customers and ensure compliance with the new system.

Victoria Atkins: I refer the Honourable Member to the response given on 31 October 2022 to Question 72470 and 72471. The costs of introducing the transitional increases to National Insurance rates from the start of the 2022-23 tax year were included in the same project that was delivering the Health and Social Care Levy.

Solar Power: VAT

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including solar batteries used for energy-storage purposes which are installed as standalone products on the list of energy saving measures that qualify for zero per cent VAT; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of that policy on (a) the deployment of domestic low carbon technologies, (b) energy efficiency and (c) household energy bills.

Victoria Atkins: At Spring Statement 2022, the Government announced the expansion of the VAT relief on the installation of energy saving materials (ESMs) to residential accommodation in Great Britain. The expansion of the relief, which includes the zero-rating of solar panel installations, represents an additional £280 million of support for investment in ESMs. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £154 billion in 2022-23, helping to fund key spending priorities such as important public services, including the NHS and policing. Extending the ESMs relief to battery storage as a standalone technology would have a fiscal cost and should be viewed in the context of over £50 billion of requests for relief from VAT received since the EU referendum. However, the Government keeps all taxes under review, and recognises the importance of ensuring that policy remains in step with the rapid pace of technological development in the ESMs market and the changing policy context since this particular relief was introduced.

Small Businesses

Mr Jonathan Lord: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps his Department is taking to support small and medium size enterprises.

James Cartlidge: Over the past two years, the Government has taken unprecedented action to protect millions of businesses, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Government-guaranteed loans. We have brought forward a number of measures to support businesses this year, including extending the Recovery Loan Scheme until June 2024; freezing the business rates multiplier for 2022-23; cutting business rates by 50% for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in 2022-23 up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business; and permanently setting the Annual Investment Allowance at its highest ever level of £1 million from 1 April 2023, instead of reverting to £200,000 as previously planned. The Government also increased the Employment Allowance from £4,000 to £5,000, which cuts the cost of employment for 495,000 small businesses. Additionally, the Government is helping all eligible UK businesses, including small and medium sized businesses, with their energy bills through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. This builds on existing business support, including the Business Support Helpline which provides businesses with tools, resources and signposting to specialist organisations.

Tax Avoidance

Ruth Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of HMRC in tackling tax avoidance.

Victoria Atkins: The Government is committed to tackling tax avoidance and evasion to ensure that everyone, no matter who they are, pays the right amount of tax at the right time. Most tax avoidance schemes simply do not work, and those who use them may end up having to pay much more than the tax they tried to avoid, including penalties.As a result of the action the Government has taken to clamp down on tax avoidance, the estimated avoidance tax gap has shown a steady decline from £4.8 billion (1.1 per cent of total tax liabilities) in 2005-06 to £1.2 billion (0.2 per cent) in 2020-21.

Revenue and Customs: Staff

Ruth Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people are employed by HMRC in (a) Wales, (b) Northern Ireland, (c) England and (d) Scotland as of 24 October 2022.

Victoria Atkins: People employed by HMRC, as of September 2022, in Wales, Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland are shown below: Wales - 4397Northern Ireland - 2458England - 53496Scotland – 7754

Revenue and Customs: Staff

Ruth Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) women and (b) Black and minority ethnic people were employed by HMRC in each of the last five years.

Victoria Atkins: The number of women employed by HMRC in each of the last five years is shown in Table A below. Table A:  YearEmployees201835770201934742202034257202133225202235359  The number of black and minority ethnic people employed by HMRC in each of the last five years is shown in Table B below.Table B: YearEmployees2018584420196103202064872021669720228597  To monitor diversity, HMRC asks staff to voluntarily and confidentially record their ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, gender identity, and carer details on their HR records. The information can be input or updated at any time (either on entry to the department or at any time during employment). The recording of diversity information is not mandatory, but HMRC asks everyone to consider the importance of recording it for individuals and the Organisation. The information provided for black and ethnic minorities therefore comes with a caveat that it represents only those who have chosen to declare this.

Agency Workers

Sir Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons HMRC did not enforce the agency rules under (a) section 134 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and (b) section 44 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003.

Victoria Atkins: Under section 44 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003, and previously section 134 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, most agency workers must be treated as employees for Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) purposes by the agencies that pay them. These agencies are required to make deductions of Income Tax and employee NICs, where these are due, from the workers’ pay in the same way and at the same level as with direct employees. The agencies will also be liable to pay employer NICs, where these are due, in respect of payments to the workers. HMRC has a risk-based approach towards compliance activities and will investigate evidence of non-compliance or avoidance. Where HMRC finds that an agency has failed to account for tax and NICs, it will seek to recover unpaid amounts due.

Research and Development Tax Credit

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of legislating to require HMRC to pay Research and Development tax credits within 40 days.

Victoria Atkins: HMRC changed its Research and Development tax credit service level commitment from 28 to 40 days in April 2022. This followed a suspected criminal attack on the small and medium sized company scheme, which led to the introduction of additional security checks to prevent fraud. HMRC aims to reintroduce its commitment to process 95 per cent of claims within 28 days as soon as possible. The need for operational flexibility to respond quickly to challenges like this means that it would not be appropriate to set a target in legislation. Legislating a fixed timeline could result in more paid out on error and fraud.

Pensions: Tax Allowances

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) stakeholders on reforming pension tax relief.

Andrew Griffith: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel At Summer Budget 2015 the Government conducted a consultation on whether there was a case for reforming pensions tax relief to strengthen incentives to save, and offer savers greater simplicity and transparency, or whether it would be best to keep with the current system. Responses to the consultation indicated that there was no clear consensus for reform at that time, and so at Budget 2016 the Government announced that it would not be making fundamental reform to the pensions tax system. As ever, the Government keeps all aspects of the tax system under review, as part of the annual Budget process, and in the context of the wider public finances.

Cost of Living: Single People

Ms Anum Qaisar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to address the impact of the cost of living on single households.

John Glen: The government understands that people across the UK are worried about the cost of living. That is why the government has announced £37 billion of support for the cost of living this financial year, which includes £1,200 of support through the £400 EBSS for the most vulnerable households, £150 Council Tax rebate and one-off £650 Cost of Living Payment for those on means-tested benefits, with additional support for pensioners and those claiming disability benefits.In addition, the Government has also taken decisive action to support households and business with rising energy costs this winter through the Energy Price Guarantee and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. The Energy Price Guarantee limits the energy bill of an average household to £2,500 a year, saving them at least £1,000 a year based on current energy prices. The Energy Bill Relief Scheme provides support for businesses through a discount which is calculated by comparing the estimated wholesale portion of the unit price to a baseline ‘government supported price’ that is lower than currently expected winter wholesale prices. For all non-domestic energy users in Great Britain this government supported price has been set at £211 per megawatt hour (MWh) for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas.We are continuing to keep the situation under review and focus support on the most vulnerable whilst ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.

Company Cars: Taxation

Beth Winter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he will next publish the benefit-in-kind tax rate for pure electric company cars for years beyond the 2024-25 tax year.

James Cartlidge: Like all taxes, benefit-in-kind tax rates for company cars, also known as Company Car Tax (CCT), are kept under review. The Government aims to announce CCT rates at least two years ahead of implementation to provide certainty for employers, employees and fleet operators.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Football Governance Fan-led Review

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when she will publish a White Paper on the implementation of the Fan-led Review of Football Governance.

Stuart Andrew: The Government published its response to the recommendations made by the Independent Fan Led Review of Football Governance in April 2022.The Government recognises the need for football to be reformed to ensure the game’s sustainability in the long term. We remain committed to publishing a White Paper in due course, setting out our detailed response to the Fan Led Review of Football Governance.

World Heritage Sites

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when the announcement on organisations on the tentative list for becoming a World Heritage site will be made.

Stuart Andrew: The announcement of the new UK Tentative List of potential future world heritage sites is expected to be made early in the new year.

Football: Ukraine

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will support Ukraine's joint bid to host the men's football World Cup in 2030.

Stuart Andrew: As reported earlier this month, Ukraine is now part of the joint bid with Spain and Portugal for the hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The choice of host for international sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup is at the discretion of the international federation, and its member associations.The Government has been clear in its support of the Ukrainian people - and we have helped to build and lead the international response in this area, including building consensus for two collective statements from like-minded nations on the actions we believe should be taken within sport in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Football Associations across the UK have also worked closely with the Ukrainian FA - directly, and through European football’s governing body, to provide support.

Museums and Galleries: Grants

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding her Department has provided through grants to art galleries in each financial year since 2017-18.

Stuart Andrew: The table below shows the amount of grant funding DCMS and its delivery body Arts Council England (ACE) are estimated to have awarded to art galleries in each financial year from Financial Year 2017-18 to 21-22. These figures include an estimate of grants provided to arts galleries via Arts Council England, and DCMS direct Grant in Aid provided to the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and the Tate. We have not included individual art galleries part of other DCMS sponsored Arm’s Length Bodies as it is not possible to break down costs at this level.These figures include estimates produced by ACE that include both exchequer and lottery funds. ACE does not have a method of calculating funding spent on art galleries specifically (beyond Museums, and Visual Arts, as high-level classifiers), but can determine funding for projects taking place in galleries, and can identify some galleries funding through name-searching for galleries in funding databases. This provides an estimate for ACE funding support for galleries and activity in galleries, but is not precise. TOTAL (£m)2017/18£69.29*2018/19£156.232019/20£168.302020/21£203.662021/22£206.42TOTAL£803.90*There is no comparable funding data available from ACE for 2017/18, this therefore includes only DCMS direct Grant in Aid provided to the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and the Tate Galleries.

Project Gigabit: Expenditure

Richard Foord: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much Project Gigabit funding has been spent to date; and what proportion of that funding has been spent in Devon.

Julia Lopez: Project Gigabit was launched in March 2021 and its spend for the financial year 2021-22 will be reported through DCMS’s Annual Report and Accounts, which will be published in due course.In April 2022, Building Digital UK (BDUK) became an Executive Agency of DCMS, and will publish its own Annual Report and Accounts, including details of Project Gigabit spend, from next year.BDUK also publishes quarterly updates on the Project Gigabit Delivery plan and procurement pipeline, with the most recent Summer Update published in August 2022.We are making good progress with the Project Gigabit procurement covering Devon and Somerset, which is currently estimated to cover around 150,000 premises. The procurement is expected to launch next year, and we have recently launched a Public Review to help identify the premises that are in scope for the procurement.Residents and businesses in Devon have made excellent use of the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which provides microgrants towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband. To date, more than 1,600 premises in Devon have claimed and received payment for a voucher through the scheme, with almost 250 further premises awaiting completion, for a combined total of almost £3.5 million.Alongside Project Gigabit, we are still supporting delivery of gigabit-capable connections to more than over 50,000 premises through our earlier superfast contracts in Devon and Somerset. We have also provided top up funding through Project Gigabit for one of the contracts.

Project Gigabit: Finance

Richard Foord: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish a list of (a) the projects funded and (b) the amount of funding each project has received through Project Gigabit.

Julia Lopez: Project Gigabit was launched in March 2021 and its spend for the financial year 2021-22 will be reported through DCMS’s Annual Report and Accounts, which will be published in due course.In April 2022, Building Digital UK (BDUK) became an Executive Agency of DCMS, and will publish its own Annual Report and Accounts, including details of Project Gigabit spend, from next year.BDUK also publishes quarterly updates on the Project Gigabit Delivery plan and procurement pipeline for the £5 billion gigabit broadband roll out, with the most recent Summer Update published in August 2022.We have already launched procurements with a value of over £700 million to deliver gigabit connections to hard-to-reach homes and businesses across the UK, and we recently signed our first contracts in North Dorset and Teesdale in Durham.In addition to our Project Gigabit procurements, through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme and its previous iterations, we have issued over 100,000 vouchers worth more than £214 million. Over 73,000 of these vouchers have been used to connect premises to gigabit-capable broadband.In July 2022 we announced a joint £82 million investment with the Department for Education (DfE) to connect up to 3,000 primary schools with gigabit broadband over the next three years.

House of Commons Commission

Select Committees: Legal Opinion

Philip Davies: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what guidance is provided to Select Committees seeking legal advice.

Sir Charles Walker: All Select Committees have access to internal legal advice from the Office of Speaker’s Counsel. In the event that external advice is sought, the Office of Speaker’s Counsel will be consulted before external lawyers are appointed.Only certain committees have power to appoint legal advisers, but Committees may appoint legally qualified persons as Specialist Advisers.

Committee of Privileges: Legal Costs

Philip Davies: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make an estimate of the cost to House of Commons authorities of the (a) internal and (b) external legal advice and (c) legal support provided to the Committee of Privileges on the inquiry into the Rt hon Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip; what the estimated budget for the inquiry is, and what role the Commission plays in establishing the budget for legal advice for Committee inquiries.

Sir Charles Walker: Internal legal advice is provided by salaried members of the Office of Speaker’s Counsel. No additional resources have been required in order to support this inquiry, which has been covered by the ordinary costs of running that Office. External legal advice has been provided to the Committee by Sir Ernest Ryder KC, at the request of the Committee. The total cost of this advice to date has been £17,850. Committee inquiries do not have allocated budgets. The Commission has no involvement in establishing the budget for advice for individual Committee inquiries. Standing Order No. 148A gives the Committee of Privileges power to appoint legal advisers.

Sir Ernest Ryder

Philip Davies: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much from the public purse has been paid by the House of Commons to Sir Ernest Ryder KC in each of the last 24 months.

Sir Charles Walker: The amounts paid will lag the amounts due. The payments due to Sir Ernest Ryder KC for work in each of the following months are as follows:  In respect of the Committee on StandardsDecember 2021 £1050January 2022 £4550February 2022 £6300March 2022 £700  In respect of the Committee of PrivilegesJune 2022 £1750July 2022 £7000August 2022 £3850September 2022 £5250

Recall of MPs Act 2015: Legal Costs

Philip Davies: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, with reference to the Second Report of the Privileges Committee 2022-23, HC 632, Appendix (Correspondence with Mr Speaker), if he will make an estimate of the cost to House of Commons authorities of (a) internal and (b) external legal advice relating to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 in the last 12 months.

Sir Charles Walker: Internal legal advice is provided by the Office of Speaker’s Counsel, staffed by salaried members of the House service, and has been provided as part of their ordinary work. No additional resources have been required in order to advise the House on the Recall of MPs Act 2015. The cost of external legal advice on that Act in the past 12 months has been £2,700 plus VAT.

Committee of Privileges: Legal Opinion

Philip Davies: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, with reference to the Register of Interests of the hon. Member for Rhondda made in August 2022 relating to Category 2(b) legal support in connection with the Committee of Privileges and the Recall of MPs Act 2015, and with reference to the Second Report of the Privileges Committee 2022-23, HC 632, Appendix (Correspondence with Mr Speaker), if he will place in the Library a copy of all correspondence from that hon. Member to Mr Speaker relating to these matters, including the pro bono legal advice provided by Blackstone Chambers and Bindmans LLP.

Sir Charles Walker: The hon. Member for Rhondda sent a letter to Mr Speaker enclosing a copy of a legal Opinion on 19 July 2022. There was no other correspondence concerning this matter. The letter and Opinion will not be placed in the Library in order to protect the confidentiality of Members’ correspondence with the Speaker.

Temple Garden Chambers

Philip Davies: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, with reference to the Second Report of the Privileges Committee 2022-23, HC 632, Appendix (Correspondence with Mr Speaker), by what process Temple Garden Chambers was procured to provide legal advice to the Speaker; on what date Counsel was instructed; who provided the instructions; and if he will place a copy of the contract and instructions in the Library.

Sir Charles Walker: The value of the procurement fell below the threshold for any formal procurement process. Andrew O’Connor KC was selected by Speaker’s Counsel following consultation with colleagues. He was first approached on 27 May 2022, and was instructed orally in conference with Speaker’s Counsel on 8 June 2022. The contract was entered into on Bar Standards Board standard contractual terms.

Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

John Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what consideration has been given to moving IPSA's headquarters out of Central London.

Sir Charles Walker: Before moving to its current location in March 2019, IPSA consided sites in Milton Keynes and Croydon, as well as Stratford and Canary Wharf. At that time, before the Covid-19 pandemic, a central London presence was deemed best placed to offer support to MPs and enable employees working from the office to attend meetings in Parliament at short notice. Going forward, IPSA will once again approach its future needs in a careful and considered way to ensure that its premises are conductive to offering a high-quality service to MPs and their staff, in addition to delivering good value for money for the taxpayer.